# Is “Honesty is the best policy” in the Bible?

> No. “Honesty is the best policy” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/honesty-is-the-best-policy
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

The Bible asks for honesty because God loves truth, not because it pays. Lying lips are detestable to Yahweh (Proverbs 12:22), and each believer is to speak the truth with his neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).

Not in the Bible. Origin: An English proverb from around 1600, first found in the writing of Edwin Sandys.

## What the Bible says instead

> Lying lips are detestable to Yahweh, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
>
> — [Proverbs 12:22](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/12#22) (Lumin Translation)

> Therefore, having put away falsehood, each of you must speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
>
> — [Ephesians 4:25](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ephesians/4#25) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Honesty is the best policy” in the Bible?

No. “Honesty is the best policy” is not in the Bible. The Bible asks for honesty because God loves truth, not because it pays. Lying lips are detestable to Yahweh (Proverbs 12:22), and each believer is to speak the truth with his neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).

### Where does “Honesty is the best policy” come from?

An English proverb from around 1600, first found in the writing of Edwin Sandys.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Proverbs 12:22, Ephesians 4:25. The Bible asks for honesty because God loves truth, not because it pays. Lying lips are detestable to Yahweh (Proverbs 12:22), and each believer is to speak the truth with his neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).

## More

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