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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims that asking a man if he is honest reveals his dishonesty because honest people do not claim to be.
In plain terms
He says if a man says he is honest, he is not.
What can you take from it?
Claims of honesty often indicate dishonesty.

Where it applies

  • character assessment
  • negotiation

Putting it to work

  • evaluate character

Questions to consider

  • How do you test honesty?
  • Is self-claim a sign of integrity?

Another view

It assumes all honest people would answer differently.

More from Groucho Marx

  1. Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted.

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  2. Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.

    Permalink to quote #131
  3. Pardon me while I have a strange interlude...

    Permalink to quote #128

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