Bigs Quote by Dan Ariely
“In a world where everyone is behaving honestly, any dishonesty constitutes a big infraction. But, in a world where many people are behaving dishonestly, and the news is filled with stories of their infractions, even big infractions can feel small to the perpetrator.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Predictably Irrational, 2008
In a dishonest world, even large lies feel minor, shifting moral perception.
In simple terms: Dishonesty normalizes big infractions
Key Takeaway
Recognize context in judging actions
Themes
ethics
perception
social norms
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- business ethics
- personal integrity
- media literacy
- law enforcement
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does context affect your moral choices?
- What standards should remain firm despite norms?
A Different Perspective
The quote may understate personal responsibility.
![“[..] we human beings are ready and willing to steal something that does not explicitly reference monetary value - that is, something that lacks the face of a dead president.” quote by Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a1f/dan-ariely-1899_funny_we-human-beings-are-ready-and-willing-to_4436.jpg)
![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
