As for the governing part . . . let me alone; I was ever charitable and good to the poor, and scorn to take the bread out of another man's mouth. On the other side, by our Lady, they shall play me no foul play. . . . Honesty is the best policy; I will stick to that. The good shall have my hand and heart; but the bad neither foot nor friendship.

Sancho Panza's proclamation of honesty in Don Quixote highlights his simple wisdom and moral integrity. Despite being an uneducated peasant, Sancho understands the value of honesty and fairness in governance. His statement, "Honesty is the best policy," though a common aphorism, gains depth in this context. Sancho vows to support the virtuous while distancing himself from wrongdoing. This reflects his firm belief in justice and fairness, qualities essential for leadership. Cervantes uses Sancho's words to show how genuine virtues often reside in ordinary individuals. Sancho's emphasis on honesty suggests that true governance is rooted in ethical behavior, a timeless message that resonates today. Through Sancho, Cervantes argues that integrity and kindness surpass social status or education in defining a person's capability to lead.