--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A person who is fundamentally honest…" description: "\"A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code of ethics. The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount are all the ethical code anybody n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20a/harry-s-truman-898_code_a-person-who-is-fundamentally-honest-doe_95181.jpg" --- # A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code… ![“A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code of ethics. The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount are all the ethical code anybody needs.” quote by Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20a/harry-s-truman-898_code_a-person-who-is-fundamentally-honest-doe_95181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20a/harry-s-truman-898_code_a-person-who-is-fundamentally-honest-doe_95181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20a/harry-s-truman-898_code_a-person-who-is-fundamentally-honest-doe_95181.jpg) > “A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code of ethics. The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount are all the ethical code anybody needs.” [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True moral integrity stems from inner honesty, not external rule‑books; universal principles already guide ethical behavior. **In simple terms:** Honesty is the ultimate ethic. Key Takeaway Integrity supersedes codes. Themes ethics integrity philosophy spirituality human nature Mood reflective serene Type philosophical quotable When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts intrinsic morality universal values Practical Applications - ethical training - values workshops Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to live without a formal code? - Can universal principles replace cultural ethics? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Code](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/code/) [Code Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/code-ethics-513118/) [Code of ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/code-of-ethics/) [Ethical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethical/) [Ethical Code](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethical-code-457980/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Ethics Commandments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics-commandments-1170401/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Sermon on the mount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sermon-on-the-mount/) [Ten commandments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ten-commandments/) ## Related quotes > [The ten commandments and the sermon on the mount contain my religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-ten-commandments-and-the-sermon-on-the-mount-contain-my-religion/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Every aspect of Western culture needs a new code of ethics - a rational ethics - as a precondition of rebirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/every-aspect-of-western-culture-needs-a-new-code-of-ethics-a-rational/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“Everyone oohed and wanted details, but I kept it PG 13, not that there were any R moments. Josh wasn't that kind of guy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-joy-singleton/everyone-oohed-and-wanted-details-but-i-kept-it-pg-13-not-that-there/) [Linda Joy Singleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-joy-singleton/) > [I don't want to do anything that violates my own personal code of ethics and morals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-don-t-want-to-do-anything-that-violates-my-own-personal-code-of/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [A binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/a-binding-code-of-ethics-is-pretty-standard-for-judges/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [“fail a stringent code of ethics and that none of us was capable of earning a place of honor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-bevere/fail-a-stringent-code-of-ethics-and-that-none-of-us-was-capable-of/) [Lisa Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-bevere/) > [“Our code of ethics supposes that wedoctors are made of wood .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/our-code-of-ethics-supposes-that-wedoctors-are-made-of-wood/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [You must question a code of ethics that never impedes your progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/you-must-question-a-code-of-ethics-that-never-impedes-your-progress/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [A code of ethics cannot be developed overnight by edict or official pronouncement. It is developed by years of practice and performance of duty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-l-copeland/a-code-of-ethics-cannot-be-developed-overnight-by-edict-or-official/) [Silas L. Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-l-copeland/) > [“Sadly, there is no evidence that the existence of a code of ethics has any particular relationship to an organisation’s actual practice of ethical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sadly-there-is-no-evidence-that-the-existence-of-a-code-of-ethics-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ethically, I think pretty much every code of ethics for doctors suggests that they should not be in an interrogation room, particularly if there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mayer/ethically-i-think-pretty-much-every-code-of-ethics-for-doctors/) [Jane Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mayer/) > [If there are going to be people out there making war on other people, don't you think it's a good idea for some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/if-there-are-going-to-be-people-out-there-making-war-on-other-people/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [No code of ethics and no effort are justifiable a priori in the face of the cruel mathematics that command our condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/no-code-of-ethics-and-no-effort-are-justifiable-a-priori-in-the-face/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“As late as 1950, the National Association of Real Estate Boards’ code of ethics warned that “a Realtor should never be instrumental in introducing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/as-late-as-1950-the-national-association-of-real-estate-boards-code/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [For this equilibrium now in sight, let us trust that mankind, as it has occurred in the greatest periods of its past, will find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-claude/for-this-equilibrium-now-in-sight-let-us-trust-that-mankind-as-it-has/) [Albert Claude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-claude/) ## More by Harry S. Truman > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [We can never tell what is in store for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/we-can-never-tell-what-is-in-store-for-us/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [All will concede that in order to have good neighbors, we must also be good neighbors. That applies in every field of human endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/all-will-concede-that-in-order-to-have-good-neighbors-we-must-also-be/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remarked for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/men-often-mistake-notoriety-for-fame-and-would-rather-be-remarked-for/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [It is ignorance that causes most mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-is-ignorance-that-causes-most-mistakes/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Most of the time most people know the right thing to do ...its the doing of it that gives them trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/most-of-the-time-most-people-know-the-right-thing-to-do-its-the-doing/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Secrecy and a free, democratic government don't mix.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/secrecy-and-a-free-democratic-government-don-t-mix/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [It can be lost, and it will be, if the time ever comes when these documents are regarded not as the supreme expression of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-can-be-lost-and-it-will-be-if-the-time-ever-comes-when-these/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [On tight money: It reflects a reversion to the old idea that the tree can be fertilized at the top instead of at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/on-tight-money-it-reflects-a-reversion-to-the-old-idea-that-the-tree/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [The United States should not under any circumstances throw away our gun until we are sure the rest of the world cannot arm against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/the-united-states-should-not-under-any-circumstances-throw-away-our/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the individual, and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-maintains-that-government-is-established-for-the-benefit-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Although I hold the highest civil honour in the world, I have always regarded my rank and title as a Past Grand Master of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/although-i-hold-the-highest-civil-honour-in-the-world-i-have-always/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Some of the presidents were great and some of them weren't. I can say that, because I wasn't one of the great presidents, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/some-of-the-presidents-were-great-and-some-of-them-weren-t-i-can-say/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Our goal must not be peace in our time but peace for all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/our-goal-must-not-be-peace-in-our-time-but-peace-for-all-time/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. Millions do not now have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/millions-of-our-citizens-do-not-now-have-a-full-measure-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) [Explore all 336 Harry S. Truman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) ## More Code quotes > [At the deepest level, all living things that have ever been looked at have the same DNA code. And many of the same genes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/at-the-deepest-level-all-living-things-that-have-ever-been-looked-at/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [It is no secret that I have read 'The Da Vinci Code' several times. I genuinely believe that 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Angels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/it-is-no-secret-that-i-have-read-the-da-vinci-code-several-times-i/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [Programmers are always surrounded by complexity; we cannot avoid it… If our basic tool, the language in which we design and code our programs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hoare/programmers-are-always-surrounded-by-complexity-we-cannot-avoid-it-if/) [Tony Hoare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hoare/) > [One of my most productive days was throwing away 1,000 lines of code.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-thompson/one-of-my-most-productive-days-was-throwing-away-1-000-lines-of-code/) [Ken Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-thompson/) > [Writing code means always having to say you're sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ford/writing-code-means-always-having-to-say-you-re-sorry/) [Paul Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ford/) > [It would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man of today of his lack of moral code. The accusation would leave him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/it-would-be-a-piece-of-ingenuousness-to-accuse-the-man-of-today-of/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [I loved 'Chicago Code;' I watched that a lot. It was great because it really captured the city - I'm from Chicago, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessy-schram/i-loved-chicago-code-i-watched-that-a-lot-it-was-great-because-it/) [Jessy Schram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessy-schram/) > [I kind of pride myself on coming onto things that are well-oiled machines and finding a way to bring what I bring and fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/i-kind-of-pride-myself-on-coming-onto-things-that-are-well-oiled/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [When we're done simplifying the tax code, getting the lobbyist carve outs our of the tax code, lowering our rates and letting people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/when-we-re-done-simplifying-the-tax-code-getting-the-lobbyist-carve/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [The tax code is 10 times the size of the Bible with none of the good news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-tax-code-is-10-times-the-size-of-the-bible-with-none-of-the-good/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [The Cheney team had, for example, technological supremacy over the National Security Council staff. That is to say, they could read their e-mails. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-wilkerson/the-cheney-team-had-for-example-technological-supremacy-over-the/) [Lawrence Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-wilkerson/) > [ \[T\]he tax code has been piling up, year after year, a symbol of everything gone wrong in America, of arrogant rulers and lost freedom,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-armey/t-he-tax-code-has-been-piling-up-year-after-year-a-symbol-of/) [Dick Armey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-armey/) > [In open source, you really have to be near the watershed to have an impact on the source code. Customers want to be near…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-fenton/in-open-source-you-really-have-to-be-near-the-watershed-to-have-an/) [Peter Fenton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-fenton/) > [We can use our art to become political, to become something you want to talk about. 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