We judge ourselves by our best acts and most noble intentions, but we will be judged by our last worst act.

The line contrasts internal moral accounting with external social judgment. We typically evaluate ourselves by intentions (“what I meant”) and by our best exemplars (“what I’m capable of”), granting ourselves context and excuses. Others, however, often judge by evidence—especially the most recent or most damaging failure—because trust is fragile and negative acts carry disproportionate weight. The phrase “last worst act” underscores how a single lapse can eclipse a longer record of good conduct, warning that character must be sustained, not merely professed. In Josephson’s ethics framework, the quote functions as a practical admonition: integrity is demonstrated in consistent choices, and reputations are maintained (or lost) in moments of temptation.