The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-02
Concerning Truth.

SSASGtAAHk AEukue
To tho RdltOn OF the IntGllIgsncer.
The truth ought to be spoken at al
times, Chat is, when anything Is said
and on all occasions. I do not intend by
this remark to convey the impression thGi
the iStllob truth must necessarily be told
under all circumstances, or that It would
be either proper or prudent to do so
There are certain eras or periods In The
lives Of nearly all persons when the whole
truth, II It were made knopn, would be b
great disadvantage or Inconvenience L
themselves, and not the least benefit tc
anybody else. For instance, suppose a
person had committed some great fault Of
heinous crime at distant or remote pc
riod OF their existence, and had already
sincerely tepented Of 1t, and rendered III
the reparation that It Is possible to ex-
plate their offence, what real advantage
can possibly be gained for them to pour
the tale Of their former delinquencies in
the ear Of sympathizing or unsympa,
thising friend, as the case may be-? II
Is true friend, and one who thinks con-
siderable Of you, it would only needlessly
Ortere him and be Of no oservice to yourself
whatever, while on the other hand, as Is
often the case, the person you intend to
place confidence in is only pretending
friendship for you, and consequently
whatever you in your blindness choose "a
impart 70 him, thinking 1t will be held
sacred, will be dlvulged by him the first
opportunity that presents itself, and will
probably reach the ears Of those that you
are particularly anxious should remain in
ignorance OF that which does not concern
them In the least; hence you will observe
in such cases 1t is better the truth should
remain untold, especially when no benefit
is likely TO result in favor Of either party,
Children sometimes ask great many
troublesome and perplexing questions
that require In answering all the skill and
ingenuity that q person Is possessed OF to
prevent telling them o talsehood. 1t Is
perfectly absurd 70 expect person can
attempt to answer all the numerous cues.
tions that children invariably PROFOUND
with the pure and unalloyed truth.
never yet saw a person that was wise
enough to do 1t, for there are many things
that would be exceedingly improper ior
children to know, but we can often tempo.
riZe things in such manner that will
satisfy them for the present with part d
truth, and that will be better than II
would to have them seek tor information
elsewhere than at home. How often we
notice among the most common affairs oil
every day life the most transparent false
hoods imaginable; they are sometimes
called white lies or false modesty, for the
person uttering themis not always sensible
oriaware at the timebeing that he is tell
ing an untruth. Let me give some illus
trations: When q person writes an inter
esting article or entertaining story for
some paper or magazine, and his friends
are very much pleased with his literary
production and congratulate him on his
wonderful success in that line, he
will generally reply to them with an ap.
parently unconcerned air "Pooh, don't
think thatis anything to brag about; II
amt q bit good While all the time he
has been dying III 1 may use the word) to
hear praise and commendation from the
lips Of his friends. II he hadn't himself
thought it was good or bad some, merit al
least, would he have sentitt to be publish.
ed2 Certainly not, If he had any sense al
oil. Suppose that l should say that this
piece ! am writing Is not fit 10 be read
he would believe me. II ! didn't think
it was good it would be very silly and
foolish Tor me to spend the time and
trouble todo that which would not be any
satisfaction to myself. How frequently
we hear house. wives, especially when
they have some distinguished company to
tline with them, ddtfiorate every al
ticle Of food on the table; the bread is
heavy as lead and soggy, and the cake did
not rise sufficiently. Now We know thai
all the pains in the world to make gen.
teel appearance and tickle the. palate were
taken, and the lady Of the house knew
that everything was as 1t should be, Still,
she had fallen in such d habit OF running
herself down that abe was not aware. she
was uttering untruths. Modesty is a good
thing in It's place and 1t would be an ex.
cellent idea It some people would only
cultivate 1t little more than they do, but
there is altogether too much Of what is
known as false modesty. liza person per.
forms or executes certain works OF art OF
anything that excites admiration or com
mendation In the hearts OF others, 1t is
perfectly right and natural that he should
express himself pleased with 1t without
having the epethets bold, forward or boast
full applied 10 him. Why shouldn't peo-
pie admire their olon works publicly as
we'll as any one else? What is the use tC
constantly reiterate that which they know
in their utmost soul is barefaced falsehoodi
- ,.... SOUR AND SWEET.