Little worried men, reassure themselves that business is noble and not the curious ritualized thievery they know it is; that business men are intelligent in spite of the records of their stupidity; that they are kind and charitable in spite of the principles of sound business; that their lives are rich instead of the thin tiresome routines they know; and that a time is coming when they will not be afraid any more.
– John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 15. Steinbeck denounces dishonorable businessmen who meet in clubs to lie to themselves that what they do is noble – that they are not corrupt, don’t steal and are kind and charitable. By contrast Steinbeck extols the virtues of the humble and dignified Okie migrants, their honorableness, morality and kindness.