This is an old and often repeated proverb, but it is true? It has a
suspiciously worldly flavor, for it means that from a worldly point of view it
pays to have honesty. Now a man of complete honesty will not ask whether
honesty pays or not. He feels he must be honest, even if honesty brings him
loss or suffering, simply because it is right to be honest and wrong to be
dishonest. This proverb is therefore of little use to people of sincere
honesty: it is really meant only for those unprincipled men who will be honest
only if honesty pays, and will be dishonest if they think honesty will pay them
worse.
Probably honesty does pay in the long run. In business, for example, a man who deals straight forwardly with the pubic, who sells at fair prices, who gives good quality, and can be relied upon not to cheat, will generally establish a reputation that will be a fine business asset. People will be glad to deal with him; and though he may not make a fortune he will have a sound and satisfactory business.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that success is often due to trickery, and great fortunes have been built up upon dishonesty. Too many successful rogues have proved by experience that for them dishonesty had been the best policy. Of course some of these people come to a bad end, and lose all they have gained by their lies; but many maintain their worldly success is more due to ability, lucky opportunities, and business cunning, than to honesty.
And many examples could be given of men who, from a worldly point of view, have failed because they have scrupulous honesty. A martyr who prefers to be burned at the stake rather than say what he believes to be false, may be a hero; but in the eyes of a worldly man, who thinks only of worldly success, he is a sad failure.
But if we look at such cases from the spiritual point of view – if we consider that truth and righteousness are far more important than wealth and rank and prosperity – then, in the highest sense, honesty is the best policy in the end. “For what it shall profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?”
Probably honesty does pay in the long run. In business, for example, a man who deals straight forwardly with the pubic, who sells at fair prices, who gives good quality, and can be relied upon not to cheat, will generally establish a reputation that will be a fine business asset. People will be glad to deal with him; and though he may not make a fortune he will have a sound and satisfactory business.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that success is often due to trickery, and great fortunes have been built up upon dishonesty. Too many successful rogues have proved by experience that for them dishonesty had been the best policy. Of course some of these people come to a bad end, and lose all they have gained by their lies; but many maintain their worldly success is more due to ability, lucky opportunities, and business cunning, than to honesty.
And many examples could be given of men who, from a worldly point of view, have failed because they have scrupulous honesty. A martyr who prefers to be burned at the stake rather than say what he believes to be false, may be a hero; but in the eyes of a worldly man, who thinks only of worldly success, he is a sad failure.
But if we look at such cases from the spiritual point of view – if we consider that truth and righteousness are far more important than wealth and rank and prosperity – then, in the highest sense, honesty is the best policy in the end. “For what it shall profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?”
