The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-13
TTuthfulness.

In all our efforts to promote truth
fulness we do well to begin with cult.
waiting accuracy. We need not mere
ly the moral aversion to lie, but the
practical habit of eNactness in, oul
words. Indeed, the latter, when once
thoroughly acquired, will include the
former, and much more. 1t will lead
us to condemn and avoid many forms
of untruth that are now palliated and
excused. There are the supposed re.
uuirements uf etiquette in expressing q
pleasure that is not felt and flattery
that is not honest. 1t is averred that
such things, with the other "white
lies" OF society, do not really deceive
that they are but polite nothings,
which are taken for their worth, OF
rather for their worthlessness. If this
be so, what object do they serve OF
what reason can there be for cOntin-
uance? Are we not, by their repeate d
use debasing the value of language
and lessening the reverence for truth
1t is not necessary to tell people that
they bore US; that we are glad that
the evening is over, or that the inter
view has come to an end, or in any
other way rudely Ia hurt their feel
ings. A little of the tact which is so
abundant in social circles will enable
any one to avoid impoliteness without
sacrificing truth, and the truth, and
the result would be a most wholesome
return to sincerity, and to the real
meaning of what we say. AS it is, we
have no means to express our real adj
miration and our real enjoyment when
they are honestly felt.
Then there is the common habit OF
exaggeration, so lightly censured, If at
all. If accuracy were esteemed du-
ty, how would the frequent unbridled
use of superalives be treated? Ger
tainly not with the indulgence which
is now extended TO them. There
would be an instructive displeasure at
the random and overdrawn language
50 much in vogue, and vigilant ef-
fort to utter the exact shade OF mean-
ing, by carefully selected words. Our
English language is rich and full, am
ply providing abundant means tor ev-
cry gradation of thought, and every
shade of feeling, for those who care to
seek for it. TO use it thus is not mere
ly an intellectual accomplishment it
is also moral obligation in the inter
ests of truth and should ever be so re-
garded.
There is no doubt that the earnest
pursuit of knowledge in any direction
contributes largely to the habit of ac-
curate truthfulnesS. A desire and all
effort to find out the truth will tend to
make us careful in uttering it. 10
weigh and consider the words of 9th
ers will help US greatly to weigh and
TO consider our own. Ignorance is re-
sponsible for much of the present care
lessness in speecn; those who never
study shades of meaning will not be
Likely to exercise much judgment in
selecting them. The cultivation OF
the senses is also a valuable aid. 10
see keenly and clearly what we look
at, and to hear acutely and correctly
when we listen, are vast helps to the
memory, and clear away many of the
vagaries of the brain. In recountlng
these things, confused and vague re-
membrance Of them often temptS us to
alter and enlbellish 80 as to hide our
perpleXity. Could we have the cour.
age and honestyt to repeat only that
which we clearly remember, perhaps
our modification at its meagre amount
would strengthen our power of alter
tiou in the future.
Like all habits, this one of accura.
cy is best laid in early years, 1t should
indeed be a chief element in all educa-
ton, both as a mental exercise and a
moral obligation. Children brought
up in an atmosphere of truth and sim
cerity and taught how to obtain clear
ideas, and to express them simply and
faithfully, will not be likely to violate
the truth in their manhood, either in
its letter or spirit.-Public Ledger.