“Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don’t have brains enough to be honest.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don’t have brains enough to be honest.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin asserts that dishonesty is not a sign of cleverness, but of intellectual and moral failure. By calling deceit “the practice of fools”, he inverts the common notion that cunning schemes require intelligence. The phrase “don’t have brains enough to be honest” suggests that honesty, far from being naive, actually demands wisdom, courage, and self-control.
Franklin, a lifelong advocate of virtue and rational conduct, often warned against the long-term consequences of dishonesty. In 18th-century America, where trust, reputation, and character were central to both business and public life, Franklin promoted the idea that integrity is not only morally right but also practically effective. His statement criticizes those who rely on deception as weak-minded, lacking both foresight and ethical backbone.
This message remains powerful in the modern world. Whether in politics, corporate behavior, or personal relationships, short-term trickery may bring temporary gain, but it undermines trust and leads to long-term loss. Franklin’s quote reminds us that true intelligence lies in building credibility and acting with integrity, rather than resorting to manipulation. In essence, honesty is not only virtuous—it is also a mark of true intelligence.
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