"كل الرجال يدّعون الأمانة ما داموا يستطيعون"
— John Quincy Adams
Copied to clipboard
Simplified Meaning:
People claim to be honest as long as they can get away with it. Imagine a child who promises not to eat any cookies before dinner. As long as their parent is around, they stick to their word. But, when there's no one watching, the temptation might lead them to sneak a cookie. Similarly, adults often say they're honest, but when faced with a situation where no one is likely to catch them, they might be tempted to lie or cheat. It's easy to be honest when you're under the spotlight, but real honesty is tested when no one is looking. To live by this, always strive to be truthful, even when you think you won't get caught—because true integrity is doing the right thing, no matter the circumstances.
Related tags
Behavior Ethics Honesty Human nature Integrity Morality People Principles Sincerity Truth
FEATURED QUOTES
