Honesty is the best policy. That is true now, was true when the first writer wrote it, and is true now. Who first said it? Shakespeare said: “Honesty is the best policy, if I lose mine honor, I lose myself”. It is either from him or from Benjamin Franklin that Mark Twain came across the phrase and took it as his own. All three are now credited with having used it first. His version sounds slightly sarcastic and from that we can ponder over who his satire was directed toward, the great Shakespeare or the majestic Franklin.

Why is it such a tried and true statement? First of all it’s simple. It pleases our sense of no-nonsense and is a phrase that all can agree on. Both truth seekers and liars equally believe that it the best policy, but some, like Mark Twain’s tongue in cheek version best. It is the best policy only when it pays monetary dividends.

Religious folk can relate to it because it stirs something good in their souls. It says so completely what preachers preach about each Sunday. It glorifies truth tellers and shames liars; it has an element of justice in it. You tell the truth when it is important that you tell the truth, to save lives, to help others, to save yourself from prison, etc.

Can it be overdone? Absolutely. Sometimes it is better to keep the truth to yourself if it is related to gossip, to tell it to someone who has no business knowing it, and etc, and if it will serve no good purpose. Like all good advice, by wrong use it can be twisted into something it is not. Like many well worn phrases, this one also lends itself to overuse. As an example, your friend asks if her new dress is becoming, and you think it is hideous, but should you be this blunt? Not if she has already bought it and is wearing it. If, on the other hand if she is contemplating buying it and to tell her the truth would help her buy something more suited to her, then, by all means, tell the truth.

As in everything, truth, must occasionally be seasoned with a little white lie if that would spare hurt to someone. Circumstances alter most things in life, and truth sometimes gets a little warped. Such is life, when we seek to do the least amount of damage. Yet, if caught between a truth and a lie tell the one that will free you from a lifetime of guilt.

You need to tell the truth only once and be done with it, but when you lie you are never done. You must keep on telling lies to patch up weak spots in your fabrication. Sooner or later, the whole pile of them will leak out and you will be standing alone facing the truth of your dishonesty. Therefore, honesty is the best policy and I would recommend you purchase it now. Who knows for sure when you will be facing St. Peter who will be checking it over.