Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-02-11
TRUTH.
Hom a work entitled -" Our Neighbour" by
WM. MACK,

subject a now be consider cd. 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 ?" pro.
pounded by q prominent individual
TO ono who, though o prisoner, was
the mighty God. Only that phase of
the subject is TO be regarded, where
man comes in contact with his neigh
Dor and locked at in this aspect, a
suitable definition oftruth is CONFORM
ITY TO REALITY AND PROMISE.
l. Some truth is due to our neighbor.
One way of trying to excuse false
hood is by taking the ground, that we
are not under obligation to convey
instruction to another; and Consc-
quently, if he be so foolish rs to 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 to impart all the information,
which we possess on every subject
unto others. Some might not be able
10 comprehend what was uttered
others would not be edited by ii,
though they understood it and others
might be injured by it more than ben-
Gifted still, mans condition is such,
that it is often appropriate to make
known either what he is ignorant of,
or show more clearly what he imper-
fectly understands. If he be travelling
a road leading away from the desti-
nation sought with q peaceable inton-
ton; if he be rushing into danger, to
which his object ought not to expose
him if the roof of his dwelling be on
the point of taking fire the relation
which he occupies as a fellow-being
demands, that the proper information
be conveyed, provided that asuitablc
opportunity be presented. And il he
can be duly reached, what relates to
his soul ought not to be withheld,
whether he is ignorant of the first
principles of the gospel; or, having
learned the way of life, gropes in dark
ness, which might be scattered by the
friendly aid of another's voice.
2, When professedly imparting in
formation or relating occurrences, the
signs, words and deeds should accord
with the truth.
The peculiaritieS of the domain of
poetry need not embarrass 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 protested history, embel-
lishcd with figures, though attractive
to the reader, has to be carefully anal
wed, that the gloss and the true ma
tcrial may lie distinguished. No at
tempt need be made to degrade the i'm
agination, which is such an important
power in the mental world, while it is
pcrscveringly claimed, that the yea be
yea and the nay be nay, when avowed
facts arc to be described, or statements
of specific points presented,
A sign may convey thought as GER
tainly as u word the manner of ut
~terance affects what is spoken an &C.
ton often signifies more than speech.
1t is due to another, that he be not
misled either by the tone, the gesture
or the conduct. Silence is not always
criminal; for, in some cases, it is our
pri} ilCgl: yet, when the position is
taken of imParting information, moth
20 in the manner ought to mako a
wrong impression upon the nearer or
boholder, When he is looking for
ruth, he should not be furnished with
talsehood.
3, What is known to be false is not
to be used as if true.
such is the perverseness of society,
That often there is floating through it
what is not reliable. MOI can every
one always escape from repeating or
abiding to these unfounded rumors.
often, however, their character is
well-known. Either by positive evil
dencG, or marks 80 satisfactory, that
the Judgment is fully persuaded of
their falseness, they are shown to be
undcscrving of confidence. Better
would it be, that they should receive
no further circulation; but, if they
cannot be passed by wholly unnoticed,
they ought in no case receive such
iseStment or be so repeated as to give
hem the semblance of truthfulness.
4. What is not known 10 be true is
lot to be told as if true.
The manner of relating things may
have the effect OF making what is false
seem worthy Of credit. Positive as.
sertion will give the appearance of
p~lausibility to a tale, which is wholly
without foundation. A mind, not max.
ing proper discrimination, may draw
upon its fancy rather than It's memo
ry, when giving details supposed to be
connected with certain occurrences
The vanity of being tie herald in i'm
parting information may be SO allur-
ing, that much of what is uttered, in
stead of being known to be well.
founded, is related without due regard
TO its real character.
If taught is told on the authority of
another, let the authority be distinctly
given, and make the statement accord
with his representation. MOI should
our opinions of things be allowed to
appear as a description of the thing
itself. Neither possibilities nor prob.
abilities have right to stand in the
place of certainties; and no ones
views, be they never so correct, de-
serve to be taken for the fact itself.
when the fact is professedly described.
Where a representation according to
truth is looked for, nothing which is
not known as having occurred ought
to be introduced as a part OF the pro-
posed representation.
B. When promises arc made, the full
tillment should accord with the prom
Use.
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