--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't believe in honesty at all costs." description: "\"I don't believe in honesty at all costs.\" — Ruth Westheimer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png" --- # I don't believe in honesty at all costs. ![“I don't believe in honesty at all costs.” quote by Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png) > “I don't believe in honesty at all costs.” [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Absolute honesty can be harmful; context and compassion matter in communication. **In simple terms:** Honesty isn’t always absolute. Key Takeaway Balance truth with empathy. Themes honesty ethics communication Mood thoughtful cautious Type ethical practical When to use this quote - personal relationships - professional feedback - conflict resolution Key Concepts relativism social nuance Questions to Reflect On - When is it okay to with a truth? - How do you gauge the impact of honesty? A Different Perspective Complete honesty may damage trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-honesty-853533/) [Costs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/costs/) [Don Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-believe/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Honesty Costs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty-costs-2143755/) [Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar/) ## Related quotes > [Honesty costs nothing, lying could cost you everything!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/honesty-costs-nothing-lying-could-cost-you-everything/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [In the long run, I believe that honesty is definitely the best policy. One can get away by being dishonest for a short term,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kapil-dev/in-the-long-run-i-believe-that-honesty-is-definitely-the-best-policy/) [Kapil Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kapil-dev/) > [I believe honesty comes across in music because for people that music isn't just something to dance to. For people for whom music is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-ford/i-believe-honesty-comes-across-in-music-because-for-people-that-music/) [Willa Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-ford/) > [I believe in accessibility. I believe in honesty and a culture that supports that. And you can't have that if you're not open to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-grossman/i-believe-in-accessibility-i-believe-in-honesty-and-a-culture-that/) [Mindy Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-grossman/) > [“I really believe that it is honesty about our imperfect selves that makes everyone do better and be better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/i-really-believe-that-it-is-honesty-about-our-imperfect-selves-that/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [“I was brought up to be honest; the trouble is it gets me nowhere." Liking her better, he smiled and said, "It'll get us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-brought-up-to-be-honest-the-trouble-is-it-gets-me-nowhere/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ I believe honesty comes across in music because for \[most\] people music isn't just something to dance to. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-ford/i-believe-honesty-comes-across-in-music-because-for-most-people-music/) [Willa Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-ford/) > [“Despite it all, I had to believe that honesty would be rewarded. That if I lived my life doing the right thing, good fortune…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-fox/despite-it-all-i-had-to-believe-that-honesty-would-be-rewarded-that/) [Angie Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-fox/) > [I believe in honesty and I hate dishonest people. You can cheat people but God is watching you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-in-honesty-and-i-hate-dishonest-people-you-can-cheat-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I really believe there's more honesty in one live show than there may be in my whole output.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-really-believe-there-s-more-honesty-in-one-live-show-than-there-may/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I believe in using words, not fists. I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-believe-in-using-words-not-fists-i-believe-in-my-outrage-knowing/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [One reason I won't compromise is because I believe honesty helps you win over the long haul. You can win a game tomorrow and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/one-reason-i-won-t-compromise-is-because-i-believe-honesty-helps-you/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [“Just because you don't believe me doesn't make me a liar.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shayla-black/just-because-you-don-t-believe-me-doesn-t-make-me-a-liar/) [Shayla Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shayla-black/) > [I don't like people lying; I like honesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-patel/i-don-t-like-people-lying-i-like-honesty/) [Karan Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-patel/) > [The fact about himself that the liar hides is that he is attempting to lead us away from a correct apprehension of reality; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-frankfurt/the-fact-about-himself-that-the-liar-hides-is-that-he-is-attempting/) [Harry Frankfurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-frankfurt/) ## More by Ruth Westheimer > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [Boredom is the biggest problem. The same position. Same day of the week. It becomes boring when you don't bring any added flowers home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/boredom-is-the-biggest-problem-the-same-position-same-day-of-the-week/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [For some people, 'ten feet tall' is just a metaphor. For me, it's more than twice my height!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/for-some-people-ten-feet-tall-is-just-a-metaphor-for-me-it-s-more/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [Never to forget the Holocaust was not only against Jews. It was mostly against Jews but it was also against homosexuals, gypsies and, let's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/never-to-forget-the-holocaust-was-not-only-against-jews-it-was-mostly/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I read the horoscope, and when I like it I smile and when I don't like it, I say, 'Dr. Ruth Westheimer, what's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-read-the-horoscope-and-when-i-like-it-i-smile-and-when-i-don-t-like/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [It is a catastrophe, all of this virtual being together. I think there are people who get hooked on the internet. If they need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/it-is-a-catastrophe-all-of-this-virtual-being-together-i-think-there/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I'm not a type of grandmother sitting in a rocking chair. I'm a lot in the theater. I'm a lot at concerts. I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-m-not-a-type-of-grandmother-sitting-in-a-rocking-chair-i-m-a-lot-in/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I don't want people to be lonely. I would like them to find partners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-don-t-want-people-to-be-lonely-i-would-like-them-to-find-partners/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [When the first armies were formed, combat took courage, which women share equally with men, and strength, which we do not. But though I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/when-the-first-armies-were-formed-combat-took-courage-which-women/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [If Congress wants to get involved in the business of morality by allowing a moment of silence in our schools, I support that. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/if-congress-wants-to-get-involved-in-the-business-of-morality-by/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I think I was fortunate that even in the children's home I had a boyfriend. How important it was, as an orphan at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-think-i-was-fortunate-that-even-in-the-children-s-home-i-had-a/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I lived, while 1 1/2 million Jewish children died. So I have an obligation to repair the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-lived-while-1-1-2-million-jewish-children-died-so-i-have-an/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [For some strange reason I can put five bullets into that red thing in the middle of the target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/for-some-strange-reason-i-can-put-five-bullets-into-that-red-thing-in/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I certainly believe in equal rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-certainly-believe-in-equal-rights/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [If someone has gone through a lot of emotional pain, including the loss of loved ones, that person may try to build a shell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/if-someone-has-gone-through-a-lot-of-emotional-pain-including-the/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) [Explore all 128 Ruth Westheimer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't believe in honesty at all costs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ruth Westheimer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/ruth-westheimer-3544_believe_i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs_1968528.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't believe in honesty at all costs.” — Ruth Westheimer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ruth Westheimer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't believe in honesty at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-don-t-believe-in-honesty-at-all-costs/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```