--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't…" description: "\"A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough. --Augustus \"Gus\" McCrae\" — Larry McMurtry" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/larry-mcmurtry-2540_augustus_a-man-who-wouldn-t-cheat-for-a-poke-don_99895.jpg" --- # A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad… ![“A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough. --Augustus "Gus" McCrae” quote by Larry McMurtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/larry-mcmurtry-2540_augustus_a-man-who-wouldn-t-cheat-for-a-poke-don_99895.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/larry-mcmurtry-2540_augustus_a-man-who-wouldn-t-cheat-for-a-poke-don_99895.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/larry-mcmurtry-2540_augustus_a-man-who-wouldn-t-cheat-for-a-poke-don_99895.jpg) > “A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough. --Augustus "Gus" McCrae” [Larry McMurtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-mcmurtry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person who lacks the desire to cheat won't be motivated enough to seek a cheat, implying that the drive to cheat reflects a deeper need. **In simple terms:** If you don't want to cheat, you probably don't need it. Key Takeaway Desire fuels unethical actions. Themes ethics motivation human nature Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical moral When to use this quote - a gambler resisting cheating - an employee refusing to falsify reports - a student choosing honesty over plagiarism Key Concepts psychology of desire moral agency Practical Applications - Encourage self‑reflection on underlying needs before rationalizing cheating Questions to Reflect On - What unmet need might drive someone to cheat? - Can ethical behavior be cultivated without addressing underlying desire? A Different Perspective Some may cheat out of habit or peer pressure, not just desire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [A man that ain't willin' to cheat for a poke don't want it bad enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-mcmurtry/a-man-that-ain-t-willin-to-cheat-for-a-poke-don-t-want-it-bad-enough/) [Larry McMurtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-mcmurtry/) > [I want more numbers than I’m likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-want-more-numbers-than-i-m-likely-to-get-and-god-i-want-more/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I nodded. I liked Augustus Waters. I really, really, really liked him. I liked the way his story ended with someone else. 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