proverb · Words worth keeping
Of all the crafts honesty is the master-craft.
Of all the crafts honesty is the master-craft.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Honesty gives skilled work a dependable basis by making its claims and dealings trustworthy. The saying values truthful conduct alongside ability, rather than promising that honesty alone supplies every skill or always earns a reward.
Example
A bookbinder explains which damage they can repair and which remains uncertain, before the owner decides whether to proceed with the work.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Calling honesty the master-craft places it above the other crafts in the saying’s judgement. A useful reading asks whether an undertaking’s statements, agreements and records can be relied on. Technical ability matters, but it can be put to poor use when someone conceals a defect or promises what they cannot provide. Honest conduct helps others make informed decisions about the work. It is not a substitute for learning the task, and a truthful person may still make a mistake. The proverb praises a basis for trustworthy dealings rather than a guarantee of success or a reason to expose private information that another person has no claim to receive.
When to use it
Use it when skilled work needs truthful claims and clear agreements to be dependable.
Keep in mind
Pair honesty with competence and respect for privacy; truthfulness does not guarantee a favourable outcome.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English