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"Honesty is the best policy" is one of the most popular maxims in the English language - perhaps the most popular. In a poll rating children's familiarity with wisdom cliches, it ranked at the top - and equivalent versions exist in virtually every language. American educator E. D. Hirsch, Jr. cites it as one of a handful of proverbs that every child must learn at an early age - the earlier the better - in order to acquire good behavior.
It was perhaps the favorite motto of America's first President:
I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.
- George Washington, Farewell Address.
The wisdom is at least 2,500 years old. It first appeared as the moral of Aesop's fable "Mercury and the Woodcutter," a story about two woodcutters - one honest, the other dishonest - and their encounters with the god Mercury (as he was known to the Romans - to the Greeks he was Hermes). In Roman and Greek mythology, Mercury/Hermes is the messenger of the gods, as well as the god of commerce, cleverness, eloquence, travel and thievery. The fable was a favorite with both Greek and Roman children. Any child can easily grasp its timeless moral.
A woodcutter accidentally dropped his old, battered ax, dull and chipped by wear, in a river. The ax sank straight to the bottom, depriving the poor man of the one tool of his trade. With his livelihood lost, the woodcutter sat on the riverbank and began to cry. At that moment, the god Mercury broke through the surface of the water, holding up a splendid golden ax. "Could this be yours, old man?" "Oh, I wish that it were," sighed the woodcutter. Mercury dove back into the icy-cold water and this time brought up a magnificent silver ax. "So this is yours," said the god, offering the man the wonderful ax. "If only it were," lamented the woodcutter. "But my ax is old, and rusted, and chipped on the head." Mercury, pleased with the man's honesty, plunged into the river a third time and surfaced with the woodsman's used ax. "You are an honest man. I want you to take the golden ax and the silver ax as rewards for telling the truth." Thanking his benefactor, the woodsman ran home to tell his wife of his good fortune. As the story spread, a neighbor, who was also a woodcutter, rushed to the same spot on the riverbank and tossed his only ax into the deep water. Suddenly Mercury broke through the water's surface bearing a golden ax. "Is this the ax you lost, my friend?"
"Yes, yes, it is," lied the man, greedily reaching for the magnificent tool. Mercury tossed the golden ax into the water. "I deny you that one," said the god, "and your own ax." "Please, just get me my old ax," pleaded the man. "I won't be able to support my wife and children."
Mercury departed, and the woodsman cried to himself, "Honesty is the best policy."
Roman writers worked Aesop's "honesty" maxim into many of their own fables. The Roman rhetorician Quintilian, born in Spain in 30 C.E., used it in his book Institutionis Oratoriae (80 C.E.), adding his own wise spin:
Divine Providence has granted this gift to man: That all things got by honesty are also the most advantageous to possess.
The first printing of the maxim in English appeared in Europae Speculum (1599), by Sir Edwin Sandys, an English nobleman and a founder of the colony of Virginia: "Our grosse conceipts, who think honestie the best policie" - translated as "A prime concept, who think honesty the best policy." After a tour of the European continent, Sandys published A Relation of the State of Religion (1605), a remarkably tolerant analysis of contemporary creeds, which highlighted the maxim as a universal proverb. Many famous American statesmen incorporated the maxim into their writings. Benjamin Franklin used "honesty is the best policy" twice (1777, 1779), as did Alexander Hamilton (1778, 1784) and Thomas Paine (1778, 1779). American Presidents also favored it: Thomas Jefferson used the maxim once (1785), as did John Quincy Adams (1787) and James Monroe (1794); Andrew Jackson used it twice (1827, 1833), and George Washington penned the motto four times (1785, 1786, 1787, 1796).
"Honesty is the best policy" also appears in Washington Irving's Knickerbocker History of New York (1809), Charles Dickens' David Copperfield (1850), and Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868).
What else can I help you with?
How do you express honesty by a symbol?
Honesty being an abstract idea, it is not very easy to convey in concrete symbols. Likewise, its comparative lack of inclusion in traditional and historical symbolism means there are few if any common symbols or emblems of it, when compared to an idea like peace for which there are many of said symbols.
Who said 'Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters'?
Albert Einstein is often attributed to this quote. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty in all aspects of life, as it reflects our character and integrity.
What is a sentence for honestly?
"He conducted his business honestly and openly.""The police said that did not answer their questions honestly."(used to stress veracity - "in all honesty")I honestly do not recall any meeting on the subject.
One child policy should be allow here in the Philippines?
NO! first we are in high rates of religious organizations and most of the citizens in the phils. are roman catholics which are against in this Housebill3773 or the Two Child policy in the phils. What? are we after China which is said to be a communist one?. Overpopulation is not the cause of poverty because the root of poverty are in the citizens' sins. two child policy violates the couple's rights in producing their desired no. of children and this policy would only foece abortions.
Who said knowledge is nothing if not shared?
Knowledge is nothing if not shared was first said by the famous author, Terry Pratchett. This quote emphasizes the importance and value of sharing knowledge with others for the greater good of society.
10 easy sentences on Honesty is the best policy?
My teacher said speak the truth and be honest because honesty is the best policy.
Who said honesty is the best policy if you lose your honor you lose yourself?
shakespeare
Is honesty really the best policy?
When a person is always honest and truthful, that person never has to remember what lies he or she told. Dishonesty and deceit will always catch up with you, often when you least expect it. Being honest and truthful gives you self respect and the respect of others. It gives you peace of mind and a good reputation. These are things that no amount of money can buy. Honesty is not just the best policy, it's also the best way to live your life.
What did president Washington mean by honesty is always the beat policy?
The United States must fulfill the commitments and alliances already in force.
How do you break up with a girl that really loves you?
You have to be honest, straight forward and tell her exactly what you wrote. Honesty is always the best policy and she will be hurt and upset for a bit but it will subside it will just take time - you can't get around her being said but just be up front with her.
Why trigonometry related to honesty?
because i said they do !
How is honesty a good characteristic in a human being?
Honesty is considered by many to be a good characteristic because it is said to be a part of humanity. Honesty can be what gives many people faith in others and in humanity.
Should i tell the girl that i like that i have social anxiety disorder to explain some of the wrong things i said and done?
Yes, because honesty is the best policy. And a relationship built on lies, is not trustworthy. And will end super fast. So at least tell her your problems before you start dating so she can know everything.
What is the executor on a life insurance policy?
The Policy Holder of a life insurance policy is the executor of the said policy.
Why did china's pro natalist policy result in overcrowding especially in urban areas?
because i said so, and im the best
What was the focus of carters foreign policy?
He said it best himself " our policy is based on an historical vision of America's role. Our policy is derived from a larger view of global change. Our policy is rooted in our moral values, which never change. Our policy is reinforced by our material wealth and by our military power. Our policy is designed to serve mankind."
How do you write warning letter to employee for late arrived?
First of all, this must be in a written explanation form when hiring said employee. You can't make up and change rules as you go along if you have X number of employees. Suggested: As per the employee attendance policy of SAID BUSINESS, and through prior notification of SAID POLICY, you have had X NUMBER OF INFRACTIONS against this policy. At this time, you have been terminated. The more employees, the finer the bottom line of understanding has to be. Then you best see a lawyer to help write this up.
