Behinds Quote by Karl G. Maeser
“I have been asked what I mean by my word of honor. I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls - walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground - there is the possibility that in some way or another I may escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of the circle? No. Never! I'd die first!”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Personal address, date unknown
A promise made without a physical barrier is unbreakable; the honor lies in the internal commitment, not external constraints.
In simple terms: Honour is strongest when it’s self‑imposed.
Key Takeaway
Keep your word, even when unobserved.
Themes
integrity
honor
self‑discipline
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal vows
- trust building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical commitment
personal ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What internal values sustain your promises?
- How do you test your own integrity?
A Different Perspective
If external checks are removed, people may still break promises.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
