[caffeine]

> There are things in life more important than money.

Not only this, but I think even in purely self-interested financial terms your ethical approach is superior over the long term.

Over time, truth and honesty offer a compounding positive spiral.

You make better decisions because a) the inputs are free of lies and b) you make them carefully knowing you will own the consequences.

Reputationally you garner trust which makes possibilities available to you (collaboration, quid pro quo, and low-friction litigation-fee business relationships) that are not open to unethical people.