I'll put you wise. You remember the old top-liner in the…
““I'll put you wise. You remember the old top-liner in the copy book—"Honesty is the Best Policy"? That's it. I'm working honesty for a graft. I'm the only honest man in the republic. The government knows it; the people know it; the boodlers know it; the foreign investors know it. I make the government keep its faith. If a man is promised a job he gets it. If outside capital buys a concession it gets the goods. I run a monopoly of square dealing here. There's no competition. If Colonel Diogenes were to flash his lantern in this precinct he'd have my address inside of two minutes. There isn't big money in it, but it's a sure thing, and lets a man sleep of nights.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A narrator claims to be the only honest person, using honesty as a marketable asset to control power and profit in a corrupt system.
In simple terms: He boasts about honesty to manipulate and profit.
Key Takeaway
Beware using virtue as a tool for personal gain.
Themes
corruption
power
honesty
manipulation
Mood
cynical
ironic
Type
satirical
political
When to use this quote
- political negotiation
- business deals
- personal branding
- public trust
Key Concepts
ethics
self‑interest
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does claiming honesty affect trust?
- Can integrity be commodified?
A Different Perspective
Honesty alone cannot guarantee fairness or safety.