A Person should not be too honest; Straight Trees are cut first

Being honest is a good trait. To a certain extent.

Being honest about something you did in the past is one thing, but if you are required to keep confidential information secret, such as military & personal documentation, then being too honest can kill you. In other words, treason!

One things I can guarantee you is "Too Honest Folks" can't uphold Security Clearance Licenses. If the enemy is wanting some confidential information about our government, who did you think Military is going to put their trust in? The "Honest Man"? Or the "Too Honest Man"? The answer is obviously the "Honest Man" because (1) he is honest about his credentials & (2) won't disclose whatever is not asked. The "Too Honest" man is seen more as a threat because he might (unintentionally) disclose information that could jeopardize the country, the Military, & his career. & believe me, there are MANY secrets our enemies would love to obtain. By the way, disclosing confidential info from the government is called TREASON & the punishment is IMPRISONMENT. You "Too Honest Folks" have been warned.

So in short, being honest is good, but being TOO honest can burn you. You don't need to tell everyone every single little thing that has happened in your life or someone else's life. If they don't ask, then don't tell. And if it's confidential & can't tell simply state "You don't know". You can't trust people nowadays, & you gotta watch what you say too. Think before you speak.

Actually, being honest is a good thing do but for sometimes, it is just like making your own grave.

What I mean is for e.g, I broke my mom's favourite vase which is an ancient vase she gets from her grandma. So, if you were me, would you want to tell honestly to her or keep it as a secret?

For me, I would keep it as a secret because if my moms knows it, I will get my neck squeezed as my mom is short -tempered. But one good thing is, if you mom is not short-tempered, you better tell her about it because lying is not a right thing to do.

I just want to remind you that being too honest is not good and also too secret is worse because it is the same as lying.

I think honesty is good for those people who want to enjoy his life after his death.

It's true honest people suffers a lot in this materialistic world.
But by honesty he could secure a position the a place which is free from any sorrow and misery.

Yes it's HEAVEN.
And at the end of the day only she/he has the courage to say "I AM AN HONEST PERSON".

I fully support the statement. That's all ! In this era, 60% of the people are selfish and can do anything for their benefit's. And while taking benefits, the straight and the honest people are utilized. So I agree.

I liked the discussion very much, for being said Honesty many times. My dear brothers and sisters we should remember few things, our national emblem says 'SATYAMEVA JAYETE' (as also pointed by Razique) , Geetha says 'Dharmo rakshti rakshitaha', Buddha said 'Dharmam sharanam Gachaami so on. Our ancestors experiences finally culminated into these words. I hope my young fellow friends will not reinvent the wheel again with their beautiful life.

We should have real and exact understanding of the basic words, i.e. What exactly mean by Dharm or honesty. Suffering could be viewed as a Challenge or Opportunity. I am sure if you are determined you can handle any situation like a lion.

Life is like a Lab. For Each action performed (Ethically or Unethically) by us there is a result. Try to keep a keen eye on the result. Analyses of these results (cumulatively but not individually) reveal you many things. I am sure, one day all my brothers and sisters will definitely understand why our elders insisted on the 'HONESTY'. Jai Hind.

I think honest is always best policy In this world. Why because we don't have honesty means in all over the world companies are not move forward. If the honest will having peoples then there ideas will be improved and automatically companies will be move forward. And takes place upper. Like MNC's. This is not only comes under companies. This is comes under all industries. Honest is main important in this world.

As I now honestly have nothing to do with quantity. It is not in parts. It is a complete sense of human being to do things in a way best for mankind. I feel energetic if I perform my duty as per norms. It is honesty. In today's world people have become coward. I am doubtful after reading the comments above that what if India lost its freedom today how many Gandhi or Bhagat singh are there to fight for the cause of the nation. The people have become slightly more diplomatic.

Time-tested truth: "Honesty is the best policy".

Fact: "Today we live in a world in which maybe 80% of the people are not honest".

Now you want to live in a WORLD full of 'HONEST' OR 'DISHONEST' People, the choice is yours.

If you want a world full of honest people, then it must start somewhere, it must start from YOU and ME. Otherwise if everyone keep compromising saying that one should not be too honest because others are not, then you must welcome a world of 100% dishonest people in a not so distant future. You get exactly what you give to this world.

Each one of us must do our bit to make this world a better place to live in.

The following story of 'Star fish' tells us what the little good things we do can make a difference.

*An old man walked across the beach until he came across a young boy throwing something into the breaking waves. Upon closer inspection, the old man could see that the boy was tossing stranded starfish from the sandy beach, back into the ocean.

"What are you doing, young man?" He asked.

"If the starfish are still on the beach when the sun rises, they will die, " the boy answered.

"That is ridiculous. There are thousands of miles of beach and millions of starfish. It doesn't matter how many you throw in; you can't make a difference. ".

"It matters to this one," the boy said as he threw another starfish into the waves. "And it matters to this one. ".

I work in a govt department. I believe that honesty is the best.

Policy but today due to my honesty I faces a lot of problems, mental harassment from my seniors, and so on. Even when I shared about this with my friends and parents, they also started blaming me for being too honest towards my duties and responsibilities and tried to teach me that these words only suits in books not in real life.

Their comments took my sleep away and compelled me to think again on the topic. I cannot understand as it was said that the way of honesty may have problems but at night you will sleep well with cool heart and mind however the honesty took my sleeps too. Hence now I believe that Of course Honesty is the best policy but only in limits. If crossed it will be as harmful as a nuclear weapon.

"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first". The writer is not saying we should not be honest but not be TOO honest. Therefore, my contribution is: if you cannot afford to be screwed for being (too) honest why not keep quiet or change the subject of the situation "for a man is known sometimes for his word". Better still, if the situation can take away life, try to explain your reason than stating fact (like Yes or No). Because this sometimes change the mind of people. I believe a honest man ought to have a honest deed or word to defend. Afterall, in the absence of straight tree, others will still be cut and if you are wise with your word to convince them despite your honesty, you will prevail over them. God first.