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About this quote

What does it mean?
The anecdote highlights the contradiction between moral labels like 'honest Catholic' and actual behavior like perjury.
In plain terms
Labels of morality do not guarantee honest behavior.
What can you take from it?
Judge actions, not identities.

Where it applies

  • workplace reviews
  • community reputation
  • personal trust

Putting it to work

  • evaluate behavior directly

Questions to consider

  • Can a good person do bad things?
  • How do you define honesty?

Another view

People can be honest in some areas and not others.

More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

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  2. The preaching in the churches does not make the lightning rods on them unnecessary.

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  3. The highest point a poor brain can reach from experience is the ability to find out the weaknesses of superior people.

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