“My basic principle is that you don’t make decisions because they are easy; you don’t make them because they are cheap; you don’t make them because they’re popular; you make them because they’re right.”

Theodore Hesburgh
I think what Theodore is trying to say from this is that your decisions aren’t based on influence, they are based on what you think and feel is right. He is saying you aren’t going to make a decision just because it is popular, or cheap or easy; you are going to make decisions because they benefit you. If a decision you think is wrong he’s saying you shouldn’t make it because only you know what is right.