Commodity Quote by Mark Twain
“A wise man does not waste so good a commodity as lying for naught.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1876
Deceit wastes a valuable resource that could be used for honesty and trust.
In simple terms: Lying wastes a valuable resource.
Choose honesty over falsehood.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- business negotiations
- political discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a lie protect someone?
- Can truth ever be harmful?
Honesty may sometimes conflict with self‑preservation.