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     For quite a while now we have heard people speak in terms of the sentiment expressed in the adage of the title, but when the concept is given some thought, I do believe that it sounds extremely discouraging to the hearts and minds of those in society. Still, if the facts prove this concept, there is nothing to be done, but even so, based on my experience, I guarantee that this phrase, this concept, has no basis in fact.
     When we observe society closely, in all aspects of human affairs there are two ways of looking at an issue. First, there is the short-term view, and then there is the long-term view. Most people, however, tend to make decisions of right or wrong based on short-term results. For example, people decide that “honest persons make fools of themselves” when blinded by the temporary success of the dishonest person who skillfully deceives or cheats others out of something. But matters should really be viewed from a long-term perspective. When done so, it is certain to a degree which may be said to be conclusive that faults of perpetrators will be revealed, they will be embarrassed and become bankrupt. On the other hand, honest persons, even though they may be misunderstood temporarily, suffer loss, or could possibly be put in a disadvantageous position, will, as time goes by, certainly see the true situation and facts revealed. These results occur to a degree that can be said to be certain.
     Let me relate my experience in this regard. For me to say this myself may seem odd, but since youth I have been an honest person. I am not able to tell a lie. When I was young I was often told, “success is impossible for honest people like you, so you should change your mind and try to lie as skillfully as possible in order to get along and perhaps even achieve some success.” I took this advice to heart, and for a while tried very hard to lie but it was no use. I could not stand the strain. My life became bleak and every day was full of unpleasantness. And in those circumstances there is no way that results could be good. At that time, I was in commerce and lying is a part of business, but the situation just did not feel right, so finally I determined to go back to my original character and decided to try to do all things honestly. But interestingly, when I did this, unexpectedly results were good, in the world of commerce trust in me increased, my successes continued without interruption, and at one time I had amassed quite an amount of assets. Here I got taken in with my success, and when I reached too far, I happened to suffer from the economic panic of the times and fell into the situation where I could not turn things around. It was at that period that I turned to religion.
     But once I determined that no matter what I would practice honesty, I have not changed my position. Of course, the results are good. But the fact that I have not lost the trust of others in spite of long periods of misunderstandings, censure, persecution, and treading a path of thick and prickly thorns, I keenly believe is due to being honest. With this background it does seem as if the perspective on matters and things for people today is short-sighted and that they are prone to be bewitched by short-term results. Thus, when human beings observe matters and affairs, they should look with a long-term perspective.
     This principle applies to everything. For example, in the case of politicians, some will make a concerted effort to get power and so strain themselves. Such an action is just like not being able to wait for the persimmon to ripen and fall but forcefully breaking it off before it is ripe. The taste will be bitter and the fruit will be useless for immediate eating, that is, a failure. A proverb goes that great politicians are remembered for a hundred years; so-so politicians are remembered for ten years; inferior politicians are forgotten in a year. This proverb is very apt, but it is quite troubling that nowadays inferior politicians are the most numerous.
     Another example is the non-fertilizer cultivation that I advocate. The artificial and human-waste fertilizers that have been utilized to date have shown good short-term results, but because such practice kills the soil, it becomes infertile. This cause and effect relationship is not perceived and, bewitched by the short-term good results, use of artificial fertilizers continues until both the soil and human beings are addicted.
     This observation applies to modern medical science. The use of pharmaceuticals and instrument-based therapies show good short-term results, but as time passes, reverse effects arise and the conditions worsen. Dazzled by the short-term results at first, the same methods are continued only to see patients get worse.
     The differences between short-term views and long-term outlooks that were mentioned in the beginning do require attention.

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“Shōjikimono ga Baka o Miru to wa Uso Da,” which appeared originally on page 6 of Chijōtengoku, Issue 3, April 20, 1949, was reprinted in the essays anthology for ministers Sekai Meshiya Kyō Seiten: Geijutsu-hen, Shakai-hen (Sacred Writings of Church of World Messianity: Volume on Art, Volume on Society), page 252, on September 1, 1955, shortly after Meishu-sama died. “Shōjikimono ga Baka o Miru to wa Uso Da” has appeared previously in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“’Honesty Does Not Pay’ Is Not True,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 336.

“Honesty Is the Best Policy,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Four, 2007, page 16.

“’An Honest Man is Easily Deceived’ Is False,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date, page 59.

“It Is Not True That ‘Honesty Does not Pay’,” A Hundred Teachings of Meishusama, no date, page 137.