The document discusses the debate around whether honesty pays in business. While some argue that dishonesty can provide short-term gains, the authors find the evidence for this claim to be weak. They argue that trustworthiness built through honest dealings with suppliers and by keeping promises provides long-term strategic advantages and sustainable competitive benefits that are more valuable in the long run, even if the specific financial impacts are hard to measure directly. Ultimately individual conscience and credibility are more important guides for business conduct than any potential nebulous financial gains from dishonesty.