[davidsiems]

I think of it as more of a predictor of future behavior.

Pirating software doesn't necessarily mean you'll lie to your customers (or to me) but from my standpoint - If I see you being dishonest in one fashion, it makes it more likely you'll be dishonest in another.

The more ways I see you being dishonest, the less I will assume you are being honest (about anything).

If you're pirating software, you're sowing seeds of distrust at your company with those that don't approve.

One of the last things you want are your employees or co-founders not trusting you.