---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not seek to be known as honorable or…"
description: "\"“Do not seek to be known as honorable or courageous. Simply as true. It is then you will surely be known as them both.”\" — Robert Vanleeuwen"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg"
---

#  Do not seek to be known as honorable or courageous. Simply…

![“Do not seek to be known as honorable or courageous. Simply as true. It is then you will surely be known as them both.” quote by Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg)

> ““Do not seek to be known as honorable or courageous. Simply as true. It is then you will surely be known as them both.””

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True character is defined by authenticity, not by seeking accolades.

**In simple terms:** Be authentic, not honorable.

Key Takeaway

Live authentically.

Themes

integrity authenticity character

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal development
- leadership training

Key Concepts

philosophy self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you value being true over being praised?
- How does authenticity affect relationships?

A Different Perspective

People may misinterpret authenticity as lack of ambition.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Courageous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courageous/) [Courageous Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courageous-simply-5780984/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Honorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honorable/) [Honorable Courageous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honorable-courageous-5780983/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Known Honorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-honorable-3487923/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/)

## Related quotes

> [“Because of the friends I have known, the honorable people I have met, I know I am no solitary hero of unique causes. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-salvatore/because-of-the-friends-i-have-known-the-honorable-people-i-have-met-i/)

[R.A. Salvatore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-salvatore/)

> [The sad and tragic fact is that the civil rights movement, despite its honorable and courageous past, has over the years degenerated into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-sad-and-tragic-fact-is-that-the-civil-rights-movement-despite-its/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [“Seek a man that doesn't ask you to prove your love. Seek a man that will prove God's love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/seek-a-man-that-doesn-t-ask-you-to-prove-your-love-seek-a-man-that/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [“His attentive treatment of her had nothing to do with the presumption that she was weak, and everything to do with the conviction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-n-blount/his-attentive-treatment-of-her-had-nothing-to-do-with-the-presumption/)

[Angela N. Blount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-n-blount/)

> [“To be honorable, you have to make sacrifices for others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/to-be-honorable-you-have-to-make-sacrifices-for-others/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [But chiefly, no lies! No lies about there being a Santa Claus or about the world being full of noble and honorable people all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/but-chiefly-no-lies-no-lies-about-there-being-a-santa-claus-or-about/)

[Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/)

> [When misguided public opinion honors what is despicable and despises what is honorable, punishes virtue and rewards vice, encourages what is harmful and discourages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/when-misguided-public-opinion-honors-what-is-despicable-and-despises/)

[Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/)

> [What can be more honorable than to have courage enough to execute the commands of reason and conscience,--to maintain the dignity of our nature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-collier/what-can-be-more-honorable-than-to-have-courage-enough-to-execute-the/)

[Jeremy Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-collier/)

> [“Hero' is not an official status or designation, but if the world recognize you as a hero, it is the highest honor you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/hero-is-not-an-official-status-or-designation-but-if-the-world/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [Now know I well what people sought formerly above all else when they sought Teachers of virtue. Good sleep they sought for themselves, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/now-know-i-well-what-people-sought-formerly-above-all-else-when-they/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [There's such cultural rot taking place, such a disintegration throughout our culture. Values, morality, you name it. Standards have been relaxed, and people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/there-s-such-cultural-rot-taking-place-such-a-disintegration/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/)

[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

> [Lobbying is not a bad thing. I'm not trying to say that we shouldn't have lobbyists or we shouldn't have lobbying to petition our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/lobbying-is-not-a-bad-thing-i-m-not-trying-to-say-that-we-shouldn-t/)

[Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/)

> [Anyone may be an honorable man, and yet write verse badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/anyone-may-be-an-honorable-man-and-yet-write-verse-badly/)

[Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/)

> [You never can predict things. I knew the movie Peducted would get a reaction, because it's showing a different vision of our soldiers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-palma/you-never-can-predict-things-i-knew-the-movie-peducted-would-get-a/)

[Brian De Palma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-palma/)

## More by Robert Vanleeuwen

> [“For it is in selfishness &amp; greed most choose to walk. In hate we choose to be. Yes even the words of love fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/for-it-is-in-selfishness-greed-most-choose-to-walk-in-hate-we-choose/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Being a real man is less about appearing strong and more about having the courage to influence a change in everyone around you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/being-a-real-man-is-less-about-appearing-strong-and-more-about-having/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Sometimes integrity is seen as a threat by those who desire control.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/sometimes-integrity-is-seen-as-a-threat-by-those-who-desire-control/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Shoot for the stars, land on the moon? Don't worry. You break the atmosphere either way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/shoot-for-the-stars-land-on-the-moon-don-t-worry-you-break-the/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Don't trust a man who claims one a liar or a cheat, they will surely define those words of themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/don-t-trust-a-man-who-claims-one-a-liar-or-a-cheat-they-will-surely/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“We should look at every woman as we look to our daughters. It is then we find the will to empower, a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/we-should-look-at-every-woman-as-we-look-to-our-daughters-it-is-then/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“When with meaning we walk - we go not where comfort resides, but where truth and love show in abundance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/when-with-meaning-we-walk-we-go-not-where-comfort-resides-but-where/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Sacrifice isn't supposed to be easy ... but it should come that way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/sacrifice-isn-t-supposed-to-be-easy-but-it-should-come-that-way/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“How we give matters. If your thoughts &amp; goals are selfish, than so be your fief. For it is through the heart that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/how-we-give-matters-if-your-thoughts-goals-are-selfish-than-so-be/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“If you never assume the truth, you'll never be shackled by a lie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/if-you-never-assume-the-truth-you-ll-never-be-shackled-by-a-lie/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Some say only the most trustworthy &amp; loving go through trials we don't understand. I say that it's only them who didn't let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/some-say-only-the-most-trustworthy-loving-go-through-trials-we-don-t/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“Your spouse is not a possession you attain, but a friend in which you trust &amp; adore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/your-spouse-is-not-a-possession-you-attain-but-a-friend-in-which-you/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

> [“The only thing I fear is a world where injustice stands and hate possesses our hearts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/the-only-thing-i-fear-is-a-world-where-injustice-stands-and-hate/)

[Robert Vanleeuwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

[Explore all 14 Robert Vanleeuwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/)

## More Courage quotes

> [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/)

[Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/)

> [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/)

[Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/)

> [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/)

[Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/)

> [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/)

[James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/)

[Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/)

> [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/)

[Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/)

> [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/)

[Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/)

> [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/)

[Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/)

> [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/)

[Kristen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-armstrong/)

> [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/)

[Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/)

> [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/)

[Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/)

> [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/)

[Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/)

[Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Do not seek to be known as honorable or courageous. Simply as true. It is then you will surely be known as them both.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert Vanleeuwen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or-courageous-simply-as-true-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Courage"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or-courageous-simply-as-true-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/robert-vanleeuwen-33544_courage_do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or_1548191.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Do not seek to be known as honorable or courageous. Simply as true. It is then you will surely be known as…” — Robert Vanleeuwen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Robert Vanleeuwen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vanleeuwen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Do not seek to be known...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or-courageous-simply-as-true-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vanleeuwen/do-not-seek-to-be-known-as-honorable-or-courageous-simply-as-true-it/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
