Meaning of the word "lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the world" in English

What does "lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the world" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the world

US /ˈlaɪɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl ænd ˈstiːlɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl wɪl ɡɛt juː ˈnaɪsli θruː ðə wɜːrld/
UK /ˈlaɪɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl ənd ˈstiːlɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl wɪl ɡɛt juː ˈnaɪsli θruː ðə wɜːld/
"lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the world" picture

Idiom

a cynical proverb suggesting that minor dishonesty or small moral compromises are necessary or helpful for success in life

Example:
He justified his small tax evasions by saying that lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the world.
The old rogue lived by the motto that lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the world.