Franklin reverses the common idea that deception demonstrates cleverness. He argues that tricks and treachery are signs of poor judgement because dishonest conduct creates complications, damages trust and may require further lies to conceal the first deception. Honesty, by contrast, can be both morally sound and practically simpler.

The saying does not claim that dishonest people literally lack intelligence. Its sharper point is that cunning should not be confused with wisdom. A scheme may produce a short-term advantage while creating larger risks to reputation, relationships or future cooperation. Franklin therefore presents integrity as requiring a more mature kind of judgement: recognising that straightforward conduct can avoid the consequences and complexity that often follow deceit.