Mark Twain: Honesty Policy
on Tuesday, March 8, 2011Mark Twain Funny Money Quote saying that being paid seems to strongly affect our version of the truth and the hard line of honesty can become surprisingly elusive. Mark Twain said:
“Honesty is the best policy – when there is money in it” — Mark Twain
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In this quote, Mark Twain is making a sarcastic comment about how financial self-interest often trumps moral principles. By suggesting honesty is only the “best policy” when it provides monetary gain, Twain implies that for many people, integrity and truthfulness take a backseat to wealth accumulation.
His point seems to be that money acts as the primary motivator for ethical behavior rather than virtue itself. Overall, Twain appears to be criticizing the pervasive prioritization of riches over righteousness in society by humorously acknowledging that for most, integrity is valued largely as a means to an economic end rather than an end in itself.
Birthday: November 30, 1835 – Death: April 21, 1910