--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a sad reflection on society how many…" description: "\"“It's a sad reflection on society how many people are shocked by honesty... and how few by dishonesty.”\" — Noël Coward" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/noel-coward-2647_corruption_it-s-a-sad-reflection-on-society-how-man_961368.png" --- # It's a sad reflection on society how many people are… ![“It's a sad reflection on society how many people are shocked by honesty... and how few by dishonesty.” quote by Noël Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/noel-coward-2647_corruption_it-s-a-sad-reflection-on-society-how-man_961368.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/noel-coward-2647_corruption_it-s-a-sad-reflection-on-society-how-man_961368.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/noel-coward-2647_corruption_it-s-a-sad-reflection-on-society-how-man_961368.png) > ““It's a sad reflection on society how many people are shocked by honesty... and how few by dishonesty.”” [Noël Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society often reacts more strongly to truth than to falsehoods, revealing a paradox in moral sensibilities. **In simple terms:** People are shocked by honesty, not dishonesty. Key Takeaway Recognize the discomfort honesty can cause. Themes morality societal norms truth hypocrisy Mood reflective critical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - public discourse - media criticism - personal relationships Key Concepts ethical paradox social psychology cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - Why does honesty provoke shock? - How can we normalize truth? A Different Perspective Honesty can be unsettling, limiting open dialogue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Dishonesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dishonesty/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) ## Related quotes > [It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/it-is-discouraging-how-many-people-are-shocked-by-honesty-and-how-few/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [“its discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by decite”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/its-discouraging-to-think-how-many-people-are-shocked-by-honesty-and/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/it-s-discouraging-to-think-how-many-people-are-shocked-by-honesty-and/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [There is no well defined boundary line between honesty and dishonesty. 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When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [As you fight corruption, it fights back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yemi-osinbajo/as-you-fight-corruption-it-fights-back/) [Yemi Osinbajo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yemi-osinbajo/) > [Selfishness is one of the principal fruits of the corruption of human nature; and it is obvious that selfishness disposes us to over-rate our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/selfishness-is-one-of-the-principal-fruits-of-the-corruption-of-human/) [William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/) > [ Corruption could lead to the collapse of the Party \[Communist Party of China\] and the downfall of the state \[People's Republic of China\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xi-jinping/corruption-could-lead-to-the-collapse-of-the-party-communist-party-of/) [Xi Jinping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xi-jinping/) > [“Oh where is the noble face of modesty, or the strength of virtue, now that blasphemy is in power and men have put justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/oh-where-is-the-noble-face-of-modesty-or-the-strength-of-virtue-now/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The victory of Hamas is not only based on the corruption of the Palestinian Authority. 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