Character Quotes
Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.
"Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself."— William Shakespeare
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Meaning of this quote
The first sentence praises honesty; the second describes honour as central to identity. Joined together, they appear to be one passage although they have different origins.
Key takeaway:
Distinguish an inherited proverb from a character’s dramatic statement.
Origin of the quote
Composite of a traditional proverb and Antony and Cleopatra, Act III, Scene IV.
Who actually said this?
Commonly attributedOnly the honour clause is a traceable Shakespeare line. The honesty proverb is not authenticated here as his original wording.
