Distortion
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. –Mark Twain
Head and Heart
We arrive at the truth not by reason alone, but also by the heart.
Sound Reasons
The soundest reasoning leads to the wrongest conclusions when the premises are false.
Communicating Ideas
You may treat ideas as bullets or seeds. You may shoot ideas or you may sow them. You may hit people in the head with them, or you may plant them in their hearts. Use them as bullets, they kill inspiration and neutralize motivation. Use them as seeds, they take root, grow, and become a reality in the life in which they are planted. The only risk taken when seeds are planted is that they become a part of the one in whom they grow. The originator will probably get no credit for the idea. If one is willing not to get credit for an idea, a rich harvest will be reaped. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” –Richard Halverson
Truth and the Better Life
Honesty of thought and speech and written word is a jewel, and they who curb prejudice and seek honorably to know and speak the truth are the only builders of a better life.
Precious Truth
Most writers regard the truth as their most valuable possession, and therefore are most economical in its use. –Mark Twain
Communicating Truth
It takes two to speak the truth—one to speak and another to hear. –Henry David Thoreau
The Beauty of It
Truth is beautiful, without doubt, but so are lies. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Truth as the Irreducible Minimum
Ian Pitt-Watson, professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, said: “I heard a silly story about an elderly Scottish couple who had never flown before, but who decided they were going to visit their children in New York and see their grandchildren for the first time. They were on a charter flight in a Lockheed TriStar. They were about halfway out over the Atlantic when their pilot’s voice came over the intercom: ‘This is your captain speaking. Ladies and gentlemen, I feel I ought to let you know that one of our three engines has failed. There is, of course, no need for alarm. This plane is entirely airworthy flying on two engines, but I regret to say we will be one hour late in arriving in New York.’
“Half an hour later, inevitably, with that desperate calm that is reserved by air pilots and astronauts for conditions of extreme emergency, the pilot of the TriStar spoke again: ‘This is your captain speaking. I regret that we have lost the second of our engines. But I would like to reassure you that we have every expectation of making a normal and safe landing at JFK Airport. We shall, however, be three hours late in arriving.’
“At this, Grandma turned to Grandpa with a hint of irritation in her voice and said, ‘My dear, if that third engine goes—we shall be up here all night.’”
Fragile
Truth is like fine china: It can be broken. It can be mended. But it can never be the same again.
Face the Truth, Warts and All
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it. –Patrick Henry
Facing the Harsh Truth
A popular comic strip is “Momma” by Mel Lazarus. One of his strips shows Momma entertaining her perpetual suitor, Mr. K. Frankly, he’s not much of a catch, but he is persistent. As the two sit on the couch, Mr. K. says, “Mrs. Hobbs, I am at a low ebb, psychologically. My ego is flattened.” Mrs. Hobbs responds in an affirming way, “Mr. K., let me hasten to state that you’re a fine, interesting and attractive man.”
Mr. K. perks up at this and asks, “Oh, Mrs. Hobbs, is that the truth?”
Mrs. Hobbs says, “No. There’ll be plenty of time for the truth when you’re emotionally stronger.”
Unchanging Reality
Lincoln was trying to make a point. His hearer was unconvinced and stubborn. So Lincoln tried another tack. He said to the disputer, “Well, let’s see now. How many legs does a cow have?” The disgusted reply came back “Four, of course.” Lincoln agreed, “That’s right. Now, suppose you call the cow’s tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?” The opponent replied confidently, “Why, five, of course.” Lincoln came back, “Now that’s where you’re wrong. Calling a cow’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg!”
Appropriate to Speak
The commandment tells us to speak truthfully whenever it is appropriate for us to speak at all. Respect for truthfulness does not compel us to reveal our minds to everyone or on every occasion. The Ninth Commandment assumes, no doubt, a situation that calls on us to speak. It does not ask us to tell the people at the next table in a restaurant that their manners are repulsive. It does not obligate a nurse to contradict a physician at a sick person’s bedside. Nor does it require me to divulge all of my feelings to a stranger on the bus. We are called to speak the truth in any situation in which we have a responsibility to communicate.
Further, the command requires only a revelation that is pertinent to the situation. A politician ought to speak the truth about public matters as he sees them; he does not need to tell us how he feels about his wife. A doctor ought to tell me the truth, as he understands it, about my health; he does not need to tell me his views on universal health insurance. A minister ought to preach the truth, as he sees it, about the gospel; he does not need to tell the congregation what he feels about the choir director. The commandment does not call us to be garrulous blabbermouths. Truthfulness is demanded from us about the things that we ought to speak about at all. –Lewis Smedes
Truth and Error
There has long been debate as to which is the speedier, truth or error; which spreads faster, false report or denial. Some have maintained that truth has sturdier and surer wings. Others contend that fiction and careless rumor find more willing tongues to speed them on their way. Long ago, Tacitus, the Roman historian, gave his judgment in these words: “Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.”
Your Attitude to the Narrow Way
Truth is narrow. If we were hiking and came to a wide river, and we learned that there was one bridge, down the river a mile or two, we wouldn’t stomp in disgust and moan about how that was such a narrow way to think and that the bridge should be right there, where we were. Instead, thankful that there was a bridge, we would go to it and cross over.
Or consider the following: When we go to the doctor, we want a prescription for exactly what we will need to get well. We would be quite startled if the doctor said, “These pills ought to cure you if you’re sincere. After all, we believe in health, don’t we?” Or would you trust yourself to a surgeon who had received no specialized training but was simply a really good person who meant well? Of course not! You know that truth is narrow. And you will trust your life only to someone who knows exactly what he or she is doing.