Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.

Quoted in a U.S. District Court memorandum dated January 5, 2012. Buffett emphasizes integrity as essential when hiring, introducing the advice as something someone else once said. Verified against the court document hosted by the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

View source / reference