The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-03-16
Saving Kind words.

1t is generally esteemed virtue to say
kind words of anyone either to please
them or to help them along in the world,
and it is a virtue, provided the words
are true. But as much mischief may be
done by kind as by unkind words if they
are not based upon truth. In a complex
machine the changing of the size of one
part affects the operation of the machine
or requires other changes. Society is
very complex machine and we cannot
make changes in it affecting only the
part changed. If we say kind words
about man that influence his promo
ton, other people are affected besides
the individual thus advanced. If the
kind words are true, the influence is
good all around; if they are untrue or
not we'll founded, the Individual may be
temporarily or perhaps permanently
benefited, to the injury of his employs
ers or those with whom he comes in con-
tact. Whenever we can truthfully say
kind words of others we should do so,
but truth must be the test as we'll as
kindly feeling. Some years ago prom
inent woman in English society sued
another equally prominent for damages
because the second had recommended
dishonest servant, by whom the COM
plainant was robbed. 1t was proved on
the trial of the case that the servant was
was anxious to get rid of her, and in
order to do SO recommended her to q
friend, with the result above stated
Here was clear case of deception car
ried out for selfish purposes. The words
of accommodation might be regarded as
kind from the standpoint of the servant;
they were most unkind from the stand :
point of the friend or other person to
whom they were addressed. The case is
not altered where there is no personal
advantage or end to be gained. A false
recommendation, though regarded as
kindly, is deceptive and mischievous to
somebody. There is no virtue in the
use of kind words unless they are true.
More obscurely there is no virtue in
kindly actions that are not founded upon
sincerity and honest feeling. The es~
sence of virtue is sincerity and truth. To
these kindness ought to be added when
ever 1T is possible to do so, and then kind
words are to be most highly commended.
One may be sincere and truthful yet
rude and harsh; another may be kindly,
but mere fatterer, insincere and I'M
truthful. Both fall short of what they
should be, for it is the combination of
many or all good qualities that produces
the ideal character or the perfect man.
''Say what good you can of man. is
often presented as wise and virtuous
rule of conduct, but is misleading unless
it be understood that only that is to be
said which is truthful, and that it is not
| to be SO worded as to deceive. 1t is not
necessary in order to satisfy ones con-
| science to be severely critical or to seek
out faults that are not obvious or to
make an analysis of motives. 1t is suffi-
Gent if when called upon to describe
an OF her for any purpose whatever
that true likeness be drawn, with 8
kindly spirit, a likeness that is not de
signed to deceive. That will satisfy ones
conscience; any departure from the truth
will be offense, whether it is in the di
rection of flattery or of caricature. Ii
the one case, where the description O.
likeness fails to do justice to the subject
the injury is to the individual described
in the other the injury will be to thu
individual who may be deceived by it.