23 inspirational business ethics quotes (2025)

23 powerful business ethics quotes to boost your mind

Here are some quotes to reflect on in times when you are dealing with burnout and need extra motivation:

1. A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business. – Henry Ford
2. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. – Potter Stewart
3. If ethics are poor at the top, that behavior is copied down through the organization. – Robert Noyce
4. Play fair, be prepared for others to play dirty, and don’t let them drag you into the mud. – Richard Branson
5. If you don’t have integrity, you have nothing. You can’t buy it. You can have all the money in the world, but if you are not a moral and ethical person, you really have nothing. – Henry Kravis
6. If you build that foundation, both the moral and the ethical foundation, as well as the business foundation, and the experience foundation, then the building won’t crumble. – Henry Kravis
7. There’s no such thing as business ethics; there’s just ethics. And ethics makes no concessions for the real or imagined necessities of making a profit. – Michael Josephson
8. Living up to your commitments is part of business ethics. My word is my bond. – Isadore Sharp
9. The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings. – Albert Schweitzer
10. Ethics must begin at the top of an organization. It is a leadership issue and the chief executive must set the example. – Edward Hennessy
11. To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage. – Confucius
12. “Integrity is the foundation of trust in business, and trust is the currency of every deal.” – Unknown
13. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. – C.S. Lewis
14. “Ethics are not a burden, but the compass guiding a business toward sustainable success.” – Unknown
15. Being ethical is not just about following the law. It’s an expression of our integrity; it’s about being able to look in the mirror and proudly say, ‘I lived by my values. – Lynne Doughtie
16. Ethical decisions ensure that everyone’s best interests are protected. When in doubt, don’t. – Harvey Mackay
17. Integrity has no need of rules. – Albert Camus
18. Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure the inner perfection of his own personality. – Albert Schweitzer
19. Corporate integrity, ethics and accountability are the pillars of a successful business. – Adi Godrej
20. What you do has far greater impact than what you say. – Stephen Covey
21. Profitability without values is like fuel without an engine. – Tony Hsieh
22. “A business is successful when it contributes to society without compromising its moral compass.” – Unknown
23. It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable. – Molière

Conclusion

These business ethics quotes remind us that true success goes far beyond mere profit, encompassing integrity, moral courage, and responsible leadership. So, let them serve as encouragement that guides you towards decisions that not only benefit your organizations but also contribute positively to society. Whether Henry Ford asserts that a business focused solely on money is poor, or Confucius’s call for the courage to do what is right, these quotes challenge everyone to improve their ethical standards.