expression, ichidan verb
honesty doesn't pay; the honest get the short end of the stick
Proverb meaning that being honest or upright often leads to being taken advantage of or suffering a disadvantage. Used to express cynicism about fairness in life.
正直者が馬鹿を見る世の中だ。
It's a world where honesty doesn't pay.
He always acts honestly, but in the end, the honest one got the short end of the stick.