Every person seems to have his own definition of honesty. A corrupt official would justify his corrupt actions by other good things he is doing for the public. A tax evading businessman will justify with the consolation that he is dishonest with Government and is not robbing the poor people. Those grifting every one, justify by saying that people deserve this.
Thus the question:

What is honesty? And more importantly, Why be honest?

Truth is often relative to perception. But let’s leave that for another time when we discuss mind games. It appears that fair dealing is most proximate to honesty in behaviour. Fair dealing is also the most simple and practical form of honesty. We must not do something to others, that we do not want others to do to us. The hypocrisy in following this standard makes us dishonest in our living.
There may be higher standards of honesty. For example revealing our thoughts. We often do not do it. But asking people to do something for one reason, while we hide the real motive is not only crooked but is sheer manipulation and is worst form of dishonesty.

Why be honest?

At the outset I must confess that my opinion is biased for it is based on my perception. But so is everything I say or write.
Principle of honesty is like traffic rules. On empty street nothing matters. But if there if traffic and vehicle do not obey rules, it results in chaos.
In practical example when we deviate from our centre of honesty we provide an excuse to others to be dishonest. It starts a game in which new lies are spun around manipulative schemes and thrown upon each other. A game of enticing deceptions. Living becomes surviving these traps. New frontiers of deceptions are drawn and erased everyday and one day one of the parties collapses either financially or physically or psychologically. Finally the hell is over for the exiting party to the game of dishonesty.
Hence the conclusion:
Honesty is still the best policy!

© Sandeep Bhalla