There's one way to find out if a man is honest: ask him; if he says yes, you know he's crooked.

Summary

This quote conveys the idea that people who claim to be honest might actually be dishonest. It suggests that genuine honesty is revealed through actions rather than mere assertions. By highlighting the irony in someone proclaiming their honesty when asked, the quote emphasizes the need to look beyond words and observe one's behavior and integrity to truly determine their honesty. It implies that those who are truly honest wouldn't need to explicitly state it, as their actions would speak for themselves.