Character and Conduct – 5 July – Truthfulness

IT takes two to speak truth—one to speak and another to hear.

THOREAU

TRUTH of intercourse is something more difficult than to refrain from open lies. It is possible to avoid falsehood and yet not tell the truth.   It is not enough to answer formal questions.  To reach the truth by yea and nay communications implies a questioner with a share of inspiration, such as is often found in mutual love.  Yea and nay mean nothing;  the meaning must have been related in the question.   Many words are often necessary to convey a very simple statement;  for in this sort of exercise we never hit the gold;  the most that we can hope is by many arrows, more or less far off on different sides, to indicate, in the course of time, for what target we are aiming, and after an hour’s talk, back and forward, to convey the purport of a single principle or a single thought.

Virginibus Puerisque, R. L. STEVENSON

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These quotes are from ‘Character and Conduct’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume

In her preface Whishaw writes:

‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’

It is my hope in publishing them here readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.