Integrity in public life

Honesty in business was a mantra for eighteenth and nineteenth century Quakers. It’s not the full story though, says Tony Stoller

by Tony Stoller 1st October 2009

Truth and integrity in the conduct of business affairs was one of the keystones of the eighteenth and nineteenth century Quaker reputation. It is received wisdom that the honest way in which Friends did business underlay their commercial success (although the limits on accomplished dissenters joining the church, the army or the professions probably had something to do with it too). Quakers would not swear oaths, but their word could always be relied upon to be fairly measured and unadulterated. The ‘very fat man that waters the workers’ beer’ in Paddy Ryan’s socialist song could never have been one of the Quaker brewers.