A Quote by Richard Whately

Honesty is the best policy; but he who is governed by that maxim is not an honest man.

Richard Whately

Quote Topics

Best Governed Honest Honest Man Honesty Honesty Is Honesty Is The Best Policy Man Maxim Policy The Best Policy

Quote Author

Richard Whately
English - Writer
February 1, 1787 - October 8, 1863

The trite saying that 'honesty is the best policy' has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The seems to be true. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.

Robert E. Lee

The trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.

Robert E. Lee

Is there a difference between a man who thinks that honesty is the best policy, and an honest man?

C. S. Lewis

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.

George Washington

We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously ceases to be honesty.

Dorothy L. Sayers

As to the permanent interest of individuals in the aggregated interests of the community, and in the proverbial maxim, that honesty is the best policy, present temptation is often found to be an overmatch for those considerations.

James Madison

Honesty is not necessarily the best policy. The best policy would be to acquire a reputation for honesty and then to cheat at the psychological moment.

William Lyon Phelps

Honesty is the best policy, says the familiar axiom; but people who are honest on that principle defraud no one but themselves.

James A. Garfield

Would that the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy, might be laid to heart; that a sense of the true aim of life might elevate the tone of politics and trade till public and private honor become identical.

Margaret Fuller

I am afraid we must make the world honest before we can honestly say to our children that honesty is the best policy.

George Bernard Shaw

When one of your children tells a lie, be honest with him; tell him that you have told hundreds of them yourself. Tell him it is not the best way; that you have tried it. Tell him as the man did in Maine when his boy left home: "John, honesty is the best policy; I have tried both."

Robert Green Ingersoll

Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.

George Carlin

Before us lie two paths - honesty and dishonesty. The shortsighted embark on the dishonest path; the wise on the honest. For the wise know the truth; in helping others we help ourselves; and in hurting others we hurt ourselves. Character overshadows money, and trust rises above fame. Honesty is still the best policy.

Napoleon Hill

People like to see honest persons. So I certainly will advise many young people who want to participate in politics, honesty is the best policy.

Ma Ying-jeou

In the long run, I believe that honesty is definitely the best policy. One can get away by being dishonest for a short term, but ultimately, honesty is what pays.