Friday, February 1, 2013

Honesty

"No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar." ~Abraham Lincoln

 I wonder why people decide to be dishonest. It is so much more work to be dishonest about something than it is to own up to that wrong and face the consequences. Thomas Jefferson said "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." It makes sense. If you are spending all your time keeping up a lie, building more lies on top of lies, then you have no time to think about life, the universe and everything.

Now on the other hand, it amazes me how many people are surprised when you tell the truth. Truth shows a person of unique character.Why do you think Lincoln is believed to be one of, if not the greatest president in American history. Noel Coward reminds us that "It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit."

Even William Shakephere is known to have said, "No legacy is so rich as honesty." He knew something about honesty. He used that honesty to tell some of the most timeless stories humankind has ever known. People want and live for that hard honesty.