Adopted Quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
“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.”
About This Quote
When honesty is used instrumentally to achieve a policy goal, it loses its intrinsic moral value and becomes a means rather than an end.
In simple terms: Instrumental honesty loses its virtue.
Key Takeaway
Honesty for policy is not true honesty.
Themes
ethics
integrity
politics
motivation
authenticity
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
aphor
observation
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- political debate
- corporate compliance
- public relations
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
instrumental rationality
Practical Applications
- ethical leadership
- transparent governance
Questions to Reflect On
- When does honesty become a tool?
- How can we preserve integrity in policy?
![“From your confessor, lawyer and doctor, hide not your case on no condition. [Is this a way of saying that honesty is the best policy?]” quote by John Harington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ee/john-harington-42921_cases_from-your-confessor-lawyer-and-doctor-hi_565267.jpg)
![“See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. [That] the fundamental treason to the mind ... is the one fundamental treason which the scholar's mind must not allow is the bond uniting all the Oxford people in the last resort.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c74/dorothy-l-sayers-738_academia_see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-re_16293.jpg)
![“Perhaps [the critics are right and] the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and entertaining to consider that at least once in the world's history those words might have been said with complete conviction, and that was on the eve of the Resurrection.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/467/dorothy-l-sayers-738_buried_perhaps-the-critics-are-right-and-the-dr_43252.jpg)
