--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Integrity is the first step to true…" description: "\"Integrity is the first step to true greatness. Men love to praise, but are slow to practice it. To maintain it in high places costs self-denial; in all..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/charles-simmons-15697_cost_integrity-is-the-first-step-to-true-grea_1804732.png" --- # Integrity is the first step to true greatness. Men love to… ![“Integrity is the first step to true greatness. Men love to praise, but are slow to practice it. To maintain it in high places costs self-denial; in all places it is liable to opposition, but its end is glorious, and the universe will yet do it homage.” quote by Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/charles-simmons-15697_cost_integrity-is-the-first-step-to-true-grea_1804732.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/charles-simmons-15697_cost_integrity-is-the-first-step-to-true-grea_1804732.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/charles-simmons-15697_cost_integrity-is-the-first-step-to-true-grea_1804732.png) > “Integrity is the first step to true greatness. Men love to praise, but are slow to practice it. To maintain it in high places costs self-denial; in all places it is liable to opposition, but its end is glorious, and the universe will yet do it homage.” [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Integrity is essential for greatness; practicing it is difficult and may face opposition, but it leads to lasting honor. **In simple terms:** Integrity leads to greatness despite challenges. Key Takeaway Cultivate integrity. Themes integrity greatness self‑denial Mood inspirational serious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - business leadership - public service - personal development Key Concepts moral philosophy leadership personal ethics Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are needed to stay honest? - How does integrity shape legacy? A Different Perspective Integrity can be costly in competitive environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [High places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-places/) [Homage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homage/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-denial/) [True greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-greatness/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [Integrity is the first step to true greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/integrity-is-the-first-step-to-true-greatness/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [“The men who create power make an indispensable contribution to the nation's greatness, but the men who question power make a contribution just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-men-who-create-power-make-an-indispensable-contribution-to-the-2/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We may appreciate the efforts, and even the greatness of the men who have tried to find the universal, the general 'behind' appearances; yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-rookmaaker/we-may-appreciate-the-efforts-and-even-the-greatness-of-the-men-who/) [Hans Rookmaaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-rookmaaker/) > [Men who create power make an indispensable contribution to a nation's greatness. But, men who question power make a contribution just as indispensable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahesh-bhatt/men-who-create-power-make-an-indispensable-contribution-to-a-nation-s/) [Mahesh Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahesh-bhatt/) > [Politics and the fate of mankind are shaped by men without ideals and without greatness. Men who have greatness within them don't go in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/politics-and-the-fate-of-mankind-are-shaped-by-men-without-ideals-and/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The men who create power make an indispensable contribution to the nation's greatness. But the men who question power make a contribution just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-men-who-create-power-make-an-indispensable-contribution-to-the/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Life is made up of little things. It is very rarely that an occasion is offered for doing a great deal at once. True…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/life-is-made-up-of-little-things-it-is-very-rarely-that-an-occasion/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [True greatness consists in being great in little things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/true-greatness-consists-in-being-great-in-little-things/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [We all are imbued with the love of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/we-all-are-imbued-with-the-love-of-praise/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The best work is a fusion of love and praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-grizzuti-harrison/the-best-work-is-a-fusion-of-love-and-praise/) [Barbara Grizzuti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-grizzuti-harrison/) > [“The glory of God is not that of a despotic tyrant, but the splendour of love before which we fall not in abject terror…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-glory-of-god-is-not-that-of-a-despotic-tyrant-but-the-splendour/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [I love to praise what I love, and I won't for a minute believe that love is blind -- indeed, it gives clearness without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/i-love-to-praise-what-i-love-and-i-won-t-for-a-minute-believe-that/) [Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/) > [Such is the love of praise, so great the anxiety for victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/such-is-the-love-of-praise-so-great-the-anxiety-for-victory/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Your art is to be the praise of something that you love. It may only be the praise of a shell or a stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/your-art-is-to-be-the-praise-of-something-that-you-love-it-may-only/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Life . . . is a joyful expression of love, praise and thanksgiving instead of a hopeless struggle which eventually ends in death. Giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-scheid/life-is-a-joyful-expression-of-love-praise-and-thanksgiving-instead/) [Robert Scheid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-scheid/) ## More by Charles Simmons > [Accurate knowledge is the basis of correct opinions; the want of it makes the opinions of most people of little value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/accurate-knowledge-is-the-basis-of-correct-opinions-the-want-of-it/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [When a person feels disposed to over estimate his own importance, let him remember that mankind got along very well before his birth, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/when-a-person-feels-disposed-to-over-estimate-his-own-importance-let/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [A person's character is but half formed till after wedlock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/a-person-s-character-is-but-half-formed-till-after-wedlock/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Ridicule is the first and last argument of a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/ridicule-is-the-first-and-last-argument-of-a-fool/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Uncalled for excuses are practical confessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/uncalled-for-excuses-are-practical-confessions/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Promptitude is not only a duty, but is also a part of good manners; it is favorable to fortune, reputation, influence and usefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/promptitude-is-not-only-a-duty-but-is-also-a-part-of-good-manners-it/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [The smallest number, with God and truth on their side, are weightier than thousands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/the-smallest-number-with-god-and-truth-on-their-side-are-weightier/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Bigotry and intolerance, silenced by argument, endeavors to silence by persecution, in old days by fire and sword, in modern days by the tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/bigotry-and-intolerance-silenced-by-argument-endeavors-to-silence-by/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Good intentions are very mortal and perishable things. Like very mellow and choice fruit, they are difficult to keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/good-intentions-are-very-mortal-and-perishable-things-like-very/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Most of the wisdom of one age, is the folly of the next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/most-of-the-wisdom-of-one-age-is-the-folly-of-the-next/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Promptitude is not only a duty, but is also a part of good manners; it is favorable to fortune, reputation, influence, and usefulness; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/promptitude-is-not-only-a-duty-but-is-also-a-part-of-good-manners-it-2/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [If you would reform the world from its errors and vices, begin by enlisting the mothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/if-you-would-reform-the-world-from-its-errors-and-vices-begin-by/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Good Humor is the best shield against the darts of satirical raillery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/good-humor-is-the-best-shield-against-the-darts-of-satirical-raillery/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [He who feasts every day, feasts no day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/he-who-feasts-every-day-feasts-no-day/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Live only for today, and you ruin tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/live-only-for-today-and-you-ruin-tomorrow/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) [Explore all 42 Charles Simmons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) ## More Cost quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. 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