The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-11-07
OUTSPOKEN FRANKNESS.

OUTsPOKEN FRANKNESS.
1t is generally esteemed compliment to
say of person that he is outspoken and
frank, but something more than these
qualities is needed to make him compan-
ionable or just The man who boasts OF
his frankness is usually very rude and IN
considerable He thinks it virtue to speak
his mind plainly and develops the bad
habit of speaking it too freely on matters
that do not concern him. He is sometimes
really abusive and when called to account,
as he should be, feels impelled, in order to
maintain his reputation, to be still more
frank, as he terms it, by expressing his
opinion Of the person addressed. 1t is of
such frank people that common scolds are
made, and they are treated by the law itself
as public nuisances. They present very
different picture from that usually asso-
ciated with the description of a person as
being frank and outspoken, but they SIM
ply represent an unbalanced type. The
frank, outspoken man should be conside-
rate, free from spite and envy, generous in
thought and action. When frankness is
thus combined with other virtues, it is
noble quality. Its foundation is truth.
The frank man, who is also considerable,
has nothing to conceal. When occasion
demands it he is ready to speak, but he
keeps control over his tongue and does not
go out into the market places to shout his
opinion in matters that do not concern him.
If he doubts another's statement he does
not consider that frankness requires him to
pronounce it lie. He may content him.
self with silence until he has obtained
fuller or more definite information; or, if
obliged to dissent, he will do so in con-
siderate and kindly manner, satisfying the
demands of his frank nature without vio-
lating the principles of ordinary politeness.
It is important that this distinction should
tons of frankness because the obtrusve
kind is vice rather than a virtue, and it
is this kind into which one is most likely to
be led by an exaggerated idea of the value
anu vi lIdHhlltSS. II Is Is.
sentially only one form of true speaking.
AS every man should speak the truth, every
man should be frank, but the truth is not
always to be spoken. No one should de-
ceive, even by silence, but it is not neces-
sary to blurt out the truth on ali occasions.
Obvious instances are those in which ones
unfavorable impression of an acquaintance
should be withheld at least until called for,
or criticism of another's motives be alb
stained from until necessity impels an
expression of opinion. The man who pro-
fesses frankness talks a great deal; he be-
comes a common tattler and he soon learns
to use offensive phrases in order to show
his independence of the rules that govern
polite society. He "speaks his mind' as
the saying goes, but it is not good mind.
In the formation of character there is an
evident reaction taking place between
thought and its expression. A peevish
habit, often resulting from illness and to be
overcome by an effort, if INDUCED in too
long sours the mind SO that the peevishness
oOSohico IHiolilc. opleHellc fefndfkS Ut
tered frequently without much thought,
but as an evidence of frankness, react upon
the mind and gradually turn it to spiteful-
ness. The quite common habit of contra
diction, having its origin in positiveness,
also has its evil effect upon character. All
of these habits need to be controlled by a
good disposition that will seek to excuse
faults in others, Gas we'll as in ones SELF
and which will recognize that other people
have opinions and feelings that should not
be rudely set aside or trampled upon.
Positiyenes which does not make allow
ances for positiveness in others, frankness
which is not considerate, inevitably develop
a disagreeable character, which merely
masquerades under the appearance of
respect for truth In short, the man who
has come TO regard frankness as cardinal
virtue should learn that it NAV become.
and very often is, a positive vice, and that
1t will inevitably assume this character if
1t is not accompanied by generous spirit
and kindly consideration for other people. /
CAPT. WILLIAM KINNEY.