To be trustworthy is not more important than to seem to be trustworthy.
7 seconds sound clip from the Beat the Devil (1953) movie soundboard.
You can hear this line at 00:31:38 in the Blu-ray version of the movie.
Quote context
[...]
- Perhaps he is the soul of honor, and perhaps appearances are deceiving.
- Do you mind telling me what it is I'm supposed to have done?
- Nothing.
- It's your conduct. Your... Your... Your conduct doesn't... Your conduct does not inspire confidence.
- And confidence, Billy, is the most important necessity in a undertaking of our kind.
- One may be completely innocent, but if one's actions invite suspicion, one might as well be guilty.
- To be trustworthy is not more important than to seem to be trustworthy.
- Billy, have you done something you shouldn't have? Tell me, Billy. Tell me the truth.
- My conduct... Who do they think I am, their hired man?
- But you are, you know. You are the hired man.
- How good and kind of you to remind me. How good. How true. How kind.
- Oh, I say. Good to see you. How about a drink?
[...]