Honesty is the best policy; but he who acts on this principle is not an honest man.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Honesty pursued only for personal advantage is different from honesty valued as a principle. The saying questions a motive that lasts only while truthful conduct appears to pay.

What the words are saying

The first clause calls honesty a good policy, while the second challenges treating that advantage as the whole reason to be honest. Its distinction is between reliable conduct grounded in a commitment and conduct maintained only while it produces a benefit. The judgement is intentionally sharp: motives can be mixed, and recognising practical benefits does not automatically make someone dishonest. The useful question is what happens when telling the truth becomes inconvenient. A person’s choices in that situation may reveal more than a general claim that honesty is profitable, without requiring outsiders to pretend they can know every private motive.

Everyday example

A contributor corrects an overstated result even though the correction may make their proposal less attractive, instead of treating honesty as useful only when it helps win approval.

When to use it

Use it when the stated value of honesty appears to depend entirely on expected advantage.

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Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.