Honesty is the best policy is an adage. Does it have significance in the present world we are living?

Answer 1

Unless one is living in another universe, one can't help but be aware of the fact that we're living in one of, if not the, most turbulent periods in history.

Note the fact that honesty and fair play have gone the way of the dodo.

Note that the idea that greed is good and both nations and individuals are perfectly entitled to look out after nobody but themselves is first in the minds of your fellow citizens.

Note the hordes of despairing children whose families have been destroyed because Papa decided a cute young thing with a fresh, tight bottom is preferable to living up to his responsibility to wife and kids, so he proves his promise at the altar to have been dishonest at the very least.

Note that the promise of security in our old age is withering faster than Frosty the Snowman standing there in the warm wet wind of spring.

Take notice also of the tens of thousands of hard-working laborers recently being deprived of their promissed retirement packages because their employer decided bonuses for stockholders are more important than a promise to the very people who make a manufacturer succeed.

Now then: do you suppose that honesty might really be the best policy after all? Or would you prefer that we continue down the road to unrest and anarchy? Who y'gonna call when it *really* hits the fan?

Answer 2

Louis Pasteur had a theory- there were two universal laws at work in society. These were the Law of Blood and Death and the Law of Peace, Work, and Health. The idea was that this theory could be applied equally to industry or to life in general. The various unsettled elements of society could not be categorized as having differing causes or basis; all could be explained by this theory and the conflict between the two universal laws. Mankind could serve either of these two laws, working to destroy humanity in all its forms, civility, spiritually, and physically, or to support peace, law, and health. The theory applied equally to industrial relations and international unrest. Of the two laws in relation to the international scene and mankind in general, one seeks violent conquest, the other the relief of/for humanity. "The latter places one human life above any victory; while the former would sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives to the ambition of one. Therefore, there are fundamental principles which should underlie all conduct and organization; and that such principles cannot be ignored in human relations. Let the forces of Blood and Death have their way in one quarter of the globe, and the forces that make for Peace, Work, and Health are everywhere threatened.”

Try applying Pasteur's theory to world events (Hitler's rise) or to simplistic daily events (lies). If Honesty = truth, then stopping Hitler's lies would have....kept peace/ averted World War?... you decide!

Answer 3

I'm not sure honesty is always the best policy. There are two things we learn as adults: firstly, sometimes you have to lie for a greater good (i.e. wife: 'Do I look good in this dress?' husband: 'Yes, you look lovely'), and secondly, to take responsibility for those lies (turns out the dress had a massive stain on the back).
As adults, and as human beings, we have to decide when it is appropriate to lie and when we have to tell the truth. And, most importantly of all, we have to have the sensitivity to recognise the difference.

Answer 4

To be honest in this world requires lo of sacrifice, one has to be strong enough to withstand pressure from dishonest people.
To a certain extent one can remain honest if the surrounding environment/system favors honesty.
Be Roman in Rome or one can follow Robbin Hood concept in life

Answer 5

If you can consciously live with yourself and sleep at night without it, you're probably not listed in my address book. But, I am a traditionalist and not real active in politics. ¿

Answer 6

not in real politics...heheh....with your friends and family of course