sunlight is the best disinfectant
English edit
Etymology edit
From an observation by Louis Brandeis.[1]
Proverb edit
sunlight is the best disinfectant
- (usually public policy or management) Transparency about the workings of an organization prevents corruption.
- 1989 January 5, Phil Berger, “Lawyers Slug It Out In Tyson-Cayton Case”, in New York Times, retrieved 8 January 2016:
- "Sunlight is the best disinfectant," said Puccio in explaining his decision to open the proceeding to reporters.
- 1999 March 15, Michael Kinsley, “The Trouble with Scoops”, in Time, retrieved 8 January 2016:
- The basic premise of a scoop is that you're bringing important facts to public attention. Your philosophical touchstone is Justice Louis Brandeis' bromide that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
- 2009 June 21, Catherine Bennett, “No one gains from blowing the cover of this secret policeman”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 8 January 2016:
- "Sunlight is the best disinfectant," he said. "We must change our practices and our mindset, moving from a culture of secrecy to one of complete openness and accountability."
References edit
- ^ Louis Brandeis (1914) “What Publicity Can Do”, in Other People's Money and How the Bankers Use It: “Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.”