What is the meaning of this quote by thomas b.macaulay the measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out?

Answer 1

True character and integrity require actions that are not carried out simply to impress another person.

Another way to say this is:

"The true definition of character is the way you behave when you think no one is watching."

More can be found at the website for the Josephson Institue of Ethics.

Answer 2

This quote suggests that a person's true character is revealed by their actions when they believe they won't face consequences or be discovered. It implies that integrity and morality are demonstrated by behavior that is not contingent on external scrutiny or punishment.

Answer 3

The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out. ~Thomas Babington Macaulay

In the same vein, I like the quote by J.C. Watts:

Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.

Answer:This quote, like many throughout history, has been paraphrased in many ways. One such instance was in the film GLADIATOR when Russell Crowe spoke, the words of Marcus Aurelius..."The true measure of a man is the worth of the things he cares about."