Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, …
“Honesty is the best policy; a policy is, after all, a strategy for living in the polis — in the city …”
— Samuel R. Delany, book The Mad Man
Source: The Mad Man (1994), p. 67; ellipses in the original
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Do you have more details about the quote "Honesty is the best policy; a policy is, after all, a strategy for living in the polis — in the city …" by Samuel R. Delany?
Samuel R. Delany131
American author, professor and literary critic 1942Related quotes
“Honesty is the best policy — when there is money in it.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910) American author and humorist
Speech to Eastman College (1901)
“In art honesty is not only the best but the only policy.”
W. Somerset Maugham book The Razor's Edge
p, 125
The Razor's Edge (1943)
“Honesty is always the best policy, even when it's not the trend.”
Sean Covey (1964) author; business executive
Source: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: The Ultimate Teenage Success Guide
Robert E. Lee (1807–1870) Confederate general in the Civil War
"Memoirs of Robert E. Lee" by A. L. Long (1886)
1870s
George Washington (1732–1799) first President of the United States
1790s, Farewell Address (1796)
Context: Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.
Gerald Ford (1913–2006) American politician, 38th President of the United States (in office from 1974 to 1977)
Ford is known to have used the words "truth is the glue that holds government together" several times prior to this.
1970s, First Presidential address (1974)
Context: I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together, not only our Government but civilization itself. That bond, though strained, is unbroken at home and abroad. In all my public and private acts as your President, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end.
George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright
"Rungs of the Ladder" http://books.google.com/books?id=HLpRc3rm5b8C, BBC Radio broadcast, 11 July 1932 <br class="br">1930s