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About this quote

What does it mean?
Honesty can lead to poverty in a corrupt system.
In plain terms
Being honest might make you poor if others cheat.
What can you take from it?
In some systems, honesty doesn't pay off.

Where it applies

  • business ethics
  • social critique
  • personal finance

Putting it to work

  • evaluating ethical costs
  • planning for survival
  • assessing risk

Questions to consider

  • Is poverty always better than dishonesty?
  • How do we reward honesty?

Another view

It ignores long-term benefits of integrity like trust.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. The stupid speak of the past, the wise of the present, and fools of the future.

    Permalink to quote #175
  2. The true character of man ever displays itself in great events.

    Permalink to quote #177
  3. The strong man is the one who is able to intercept at will the communication between the senses and the mind.

    Permalink to quote #174

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