In the long run, I believe that honesty is definitely the best policy. One can get away by being dishonest for a short-term, but ultimately, honesty is what pays.
-Kapil Dev.
Honesty plays a vital role in our day-to-day life. How? It not only paves the way for breeding trust, respect and dignity but also pays in the long run. The present post supports the above view.
Asansol Ramakrishna Mission School had declared the results of the Second Terminal Examination. Like every year, the class teacher gave the answer sheets to the guardians for scrutiny. The teacher said, “Check the answer sheet, add the marks and point out the mistakes in the total if any.”
Without delay, my wife checked and found that the total score of geography paper had been wrongly increased by ten marks. So in order to correct the score, she pointed out the error to the class teacher.
So, he informed the headmaster about the whole episode. Then The Headmaster came to the class and said, “ We did not see the parents like you. Most of the parents would not point out the mistake at all. We are happy that you are guiding your son properly. So, We are not deducting the total score of your son in recognition of your honesty”.
Since then The Head Maharaj used to listen to us attentively and grant leave of my son as and when required on any pretty family occasion. He knew that we were not telling lies.
Analysis of the story for finding benefits
As my wife believed in honesty and integrity, she spoke the truth and pointed out the error in total marks of geography. If she did not point out the error, nobody could know the real scores of my son.
With due respect for the class teacher, other parents and students, she pointed out the mistake. In other words, she treated all of them with dignity and respect and a proper sense of justice.
By pointing out the error, my wife had shown honesty towards other students, guardians, teachers and my son. She did not want her son to score more in a dishonest way. If she was not honest, how could she expect her son to be honest? She firmly believed the saying of Benjamin Franklin, “Honesty is the best policy”. Honesty breeds trust . Trust helps to build a relationship.
Finally, The Head Maharaj did not deduct the marks of my son. He inspired other guardians also to follow the path of honesty.
My wife behaved like an ethical leader. She led by example. Indirectly she sent the message to other guardians, “I am speaking the truth, you may follow me.”; the message to my son “I am speaking the truth, I expect you to speak the truth always.”; the message to the teachers and The Head Maharaj was “I am speaking the truth; you can believe our family and me.”
She spoke the truth. She walked the talk. Other guardians and my son got the right message.
Action steps: Honesty is the best policy
- Trust others.
- Show respect to others
- Treat others with dignity and respect
- Always have a sense of justice
- Be ethical.
- Practice “honesty is the best policy.”
- Live a fabulous life
