The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-29
Tell the Truth

"As purely commercial transac-
tiOn" said man of wide eNpe rience,
81 think the most profitable of all
things is to tell the truth in the sim
plest and most straightforward fash
ion. There are health, wealth, and
ueace of mind in it.
"a successful liar requires a great
many qualifications not commonly
met with in the average man. He
must have great deal of versatility,
a phenomenal memory. and the ut
most GOODNESS and self possession.
ut is the hardest work in the
world to keep tally in Il career of false
hood and decept"u, and certainly
nothing is more taxing or more wear
ing on the strength and vitality. 10
keep Il full, up-t0-date schedule of ones
utterances on any given subject is no
trifiing undertaking, and this the sue
cessful liar must always do. Constant
ly in danger of being caught happing
he cannot afford for one instant to re-
lax his vigilance or neglect any entry
that bears upon the case. 10 DO this
is to set traps for his owa feet, into
which he is absolutely certain to fall
at the first turn.
"When one has spoken the truth,
the subject may be dismissed from the
thoughts without uneasiness. When
it comes up again, there is nothing to
apprehend, as the facts return to the
mind in their regular sequence, and
one can express an opinion with the
utmost confidence.
but having falsified, the whole
state ofaffalrs is reversed. 1t will not
do to be caught up and reminded that
we have at some time past said so-and-
so, therefore it is necessary either to re-
train from expressing any opinion or
to take counsel with ourselves, search
out all the entries on the mental ledg-
er, and gather up all the threads so
that there shall be no break in the con-
tinuity Of circumstances.
"There are few characteristics more
valuable than that which gives rep
utation for absolute truthfulness. One
may decline to express any views on q
given subject and not be open to criti-
cism, but whatever is said should he
unimpeachabe and rs frankly uttered
as possible.
"Children should early be taught
the importance of a reputation for
truthtelling. Many boy has escaped
censure, and many another has saved
himself and his companions serious
trouble, when it could be said of him,
That boy made such and such state
ment, aud 1 know he can be believed.
"Such character is a tower of
strength in community, and to de-
serve such a record should be the aim
of all right-minded young persons.
Many man has made a successful
start in business, because when he was
boy it could be said of him, He can
be depended on under all circumstan-
ces.'
"Petty trickery, the credit Of being
able to tell good story, and the possi-
bility of entertaining crowd with
some yarn or other, may be very anus
ing, and is certainly gift that is high.
ly priced by many people, but they do
not mean success in life, nor are they
conducive to the high respect in
which all young persous should he
held in their immediate nelghborhood.
"To be known always as speaker of
the truth is to have i'm ones own per-
son the elements that ensure success
and command the respect and esteem
of all right-minded true hearted, and
clear-headed citizens of the common
wealth."