The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-03
TRUTH
Prom a Work entitled .'our Ncighbor." by
NM. MAck


VIZ. MACS
Only n portion of this important
subject can now be considered. The |
distinctions cannot be dwelt upon, in
detail, between physical, moral and
metaphysical truths. Far less must |
an ATTEMPT be made TO answer the
great question, "What is truth p pro-
rounded by a. prominent individual
ioole WHO, though prisoner, was
tic mighty God. Only that phase of
the subject is 10 be regarded, where
man comes in contact with his neigh
Dor; and locked al in this aspect, a
suitable definition oftruth is CONFORM
ITY TO REALITY AND PROMISE.
/. Some truth is due 10 oar neigh
boz.
One way of trying TO excuse false
hood is by taking the ground, that we
are not 6iInder obligation 10 convey
instruction 10 another; and cOnSc-
qucntlv, if he be so foolish rs 10 be led
astray by what is said, The fault is due
TO his folly rather than TO ourselves.
1t is granted, that we are not bound to
attempt 10 impart all the information,
which we possess on every subject
unto Others. Some might not be able
TO comprehend what was uttered
others would no be edited by ii,
though they understood it; and others
might he injured by IL more than ber-
Gifted still, mans condition is such,
that it is often appropriate 10 make
known either what he Is Ignorant OF,
or show more Clearly what lie fmper-
fectly understands. If he be travelling
road leading away from the desti-
nation sought With & peaccAble inten-
ton: if he be rushing into danger, 10
which lis object ought not 10 expose
hi4n: If the roof of his dwelling be on
the point OF taking fire; tho relation
which he occupies as a fell0w-bcing
demands, that the proper information
be conveyed, provided that suitable
opportunity be presented. And if he
can be duly reached, what relates to
his soul ought not 10 be withheld,
whether he is ignorant of the first
principles of the gospel; CT, having
learned the way of life, gropes in dark
ness which might be scattered by the
friendly aid Of anothcr's voice.
.. When Aofessedly lmparting in
formationor relating occurrences, the
signs, words and deeds should accord
with the truth.
The peculiaritics O. the domain of
poetry need not cmbarrasS those, who
wish to order their conversation
Alright. The poetic privilege of en-
ploying tropes and emblems may be
readily granted to its Legitimate
sphere and yet, the duty insisted up
on OF making our statements consist
cnt with what is proposed to be de-
scribed. A pr0fesseG history, embel
lished with figures, though attractive
TO The reader, has 10 be carefully anal
wed, that the gloss and the true ma
icrial may lie distinguished. No at
tcmptnced be made 10 degrade the i'm
agination, which is such an important
Lower in fhe mental world, while it is
pcrscvcringly claimed, that the yea be
yea and the nay be nay, when ayowed
facts arc TO be described, or statements
of specific points presented.
4 sign may convey thought as GER
tainIy as Il word; the manner OF III
tcrancc affects what is spoken an ac-
lion often signifies more than speech.
IL is due. to another, that he be not
mislcad either by the tone, The gesture
OF The conduct. Silence is not always
criminal; for, in some cases, it is cur
privilege: yet, when the position is
taken of imparting information. moth
ing in the manner ought to make Il
wrong impression upon the nearer or
bcholdCr. when he is looking for
frnth, he should not be furnished with
falschOod.
3. WIet Is known to be false is not
tD he used rs if true.
Such is tie pCTycrscnCSS OF society,
that often there is floating through it
what is not reliable. Nor can every
cnc always escape from repeating or
abiding TO these unloundcd rumOrs.
Often, however, their character is
wcn-known. Either by positive evil
dcmcc. or marks so satisfactory that
the Judgment is fully persuaded Of
their faiscncss, they are shoYnto be
undCscrviGg of confidence. Better
would Il bc, that they should receive
no further circulation; but, if they
cannot bcpasscd by wholly unnoticed,
they ought in no case receive such
treatment or be so repeated as 10 give
tEem the srmblance of truthiulness.
1. What is not known 10 be true is
not 10 be told as if true.
The manner of relating things may
have Tie effect of making what is false
seem worthy of credit Positive as
seriion will give The appearance of
FEASIBILITY TO a tale, which is wholly
without foundation. \ mind, not max
inc proper discrimination, may draw
upon its iancy rather than lis memo
nv. when giving details supposed to be
ronnected with certain occurrences.
The vanity of being tie herald in inn
parting information may he so allur-
inc. that much of what is uttered, in
stead of bcirg known TO be we'll
founded. is related without due regard
to its real character.
Taught Is told on tic authority OF
another, let the authority be distinctly
given. and make the statement accord
with his representation. Nor should
our opinions OF things be allowed to
appear rs a description OF the thing
itself. Neither possibilities nor prob
abilities have right 20 stand III the
place Of certainticS; and 10 ones
views, be tiey never so correct, de-
serve to be taken for tie fact itself
when the fact is profcs-edly described
Where a representation according tC
truth is looked for, nothing which j:
not known as having occurred orgh
10 be introduced As part of the pro
posed representation.
;. When promises are made, the fGl
fllmcut should accord with the prom
Use.
He, 10 whom promise Is made
has right TO suppose, that the intcn
tion 10 make good what is pledged cX
isis I'm the mind of the promiscJ ant
that obligation is also felt with refer
cucc to the fulfillment Of what is de
clared. The pledge is regarded a
voluntary. or given because it i
deemed best on re whole TO be made
and he, 10 whom it is given, unless h
questions the sincerity of the ont
making the avowal, must have his cx
pectations excited, that the conduct o
The promiser Will agree with what h
has stipulated 10 perform
Contracts, being dependent upol
certain conditions, if either party fail
10 meet his obligations, the other Is re