“Honesty is the best policy” is one of the first proverbs most of us ever learn — a plain statement that telling the truth pays off in the long run. Here is what it means, who first wrote it down, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its respect for the truth.
What Does “Honesty Is the Best Policy” Mean?
The proverb means that telling the truth is always the wisest course, even when a lie seems easier or more convenient. Honesty earns you trust and respect, keeps you free of the tangle of covering one falsehood with another, and lets you live without fear of being found out. In the long run, the proverb argues, truthfulness serves you better than any clever deception.
Origin of the Proverb
The phrase first appears in English in 1599, when Sir Edwin Sandys — a politician who would later help found the Virginia Colony at Jamestown — wrote “honestie, the best policie.” The sentiment, of course, is far older: some trace it to Aesop’s fable of Mercury and the Woodcutter, in which an honest woodman is rewarded for telling the truth about his lost axe. The proverb became a favourite of George Washington, who quoted it several times, including in his Farewell Address, which helped fix it firmly in the language. Today it remains the simplest argument there is for telling the truth.
Examples in a Sentence
- “He admitted the mistake straight away — honesty is the best policy.”
- “Just tell them what really happened; honesty is the best policy.”
- “She declared every penny on her taxes, believing honesty is the best policy.”
Similar Proverbs
- The truth will out — sooner or later, the real facts come to light.
- Honesty is the best policy, but not always the easiest — telling the truth is right, even when it is hard.
- A clear conscience is a soft pillow — living honestly lets you rest easy.
- Tell the truth and shame the devil — be honest no matter how uncomfortable it is.
For more sayings about truth and integrity, see our truth proverbs and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “honesty is the best policy” mean?
It means that being truthful is always the wisest choice, because honesty earns trust and respect and saves you the trouble that lies create.
Who said “honesty is the best policy”?
The first recorded use in English is by Sir Edwin Sandys in 1599. The idea is older still, and the proverb was later made famous by George Washington, who was fond of quoting it.
What is a similar proverb?
“The truth will out” and “tell the truth and shame the devil” both share the same conviction that honesty is the right and wisest path.