Acting in Knowledge of Kṛṣṇa
71
honest? Everyone thinks—The butcher thinks, “It is my life. I must cut the throat of the animals daily.” Just like that—what is that hunter? And Nārada Muni met him?
ŚYĀMASUNDARA:  Mṛgāri.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Yes, Mṛgāri. Nārada asked him, “Why are you killing in this way?” And he said, “Oh, it is my business. My father taught it.” So he was honestly doing that. So a feeling of honesty depends on culture. A thief’s culture is different. He thinks stealing is honest.
BOB:  So what is honesty?
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Yes, that is my question. [ Everyone laughs. ] Real honesty is that you should not encroach upon another’s property. This is honesty. For instance, this is my table. If you want to take it away while going, is that honesty? So therefore the simple definition of honesty is that you should not encroach upon another’s rights. That is honesty.
BOB:  So somebody who is honest would be in the mode of goodness? Would that be correct?
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Certainly, certainly. Because the mode of goodness means knowledge. So if you know, “This table does not belong to me; it belongs to Svāmiji,” you will not try to take it away. Therefore, one must know—be thoroughly well conversant—then he can be honest.
BOB:  So, now you have said the mode of goodness was knowledge of God, but somebody may be honest without having very much knowledge of God.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Hm-m?
BOB:  Without—without being honest—without thinking they are honest because it is God’s wishes—they just feel like they ought to be honest.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Mmm. God wishes everyone to be