OF all the vices, there is no one more criminal, more mean, and more
ridiculous, than lying. The end we design by it is very seldom
accomplished, for lies are always found out, at one time or other; and
yet there are persons who give way to this vice, who are otherwise of
good principles, and have not been ill educated.
LIES generally proceed from vanity, cowardice, and a revengeful
disposition, and sometimes from a mistaken notion of self-defence.
HE who tells a malicious lie, with a view of injuring the person he
speaks of, may gratify his wish for a while, but will, in the end, find
it recoil upon himself; for, as soon as he is detected (and detected he
most certainly will be) he is despised for the infamous attempt, and
whatever he may say hereafter of that person, will be considered as
false, whether it be so or not.
IF a man lies, shuffles, or equivocates, for, in fact, they are all
alike, by way of excuse for any thing he has said or done, he aggravates
the offence rather than lessens it; for the person to whom the lie is
told has a right to know the truth, or there would have been no occasion
to have framed a falsehood. This person, of course, will think himself
ill treated for being a second time affronted; for what can be a greater
affront than an attempt to impose upon any man’s understanding? Besides,
lying, in excuse for a fault, betrays fear, than which nothing is more
dastardly, and unbecoming the character of a gentleman.
THERE is nothing more manly, or more noble, if we have done wrong, than
frankly to own it. It is the only way of meeting forgiveness. Indeed,
confessing a fault and asking pardon, with great minds, is considered as
a sufficient atonement. ‘I have been betrayed into an error,’ or ‘I have
injured you, Sir, and am heartily ashamed of it, and sorry for it,’ has
frequently disarmed the person injured, and where he would have been our
enemy, has made him our friend.
THERE are persons also, whose _vanity_ leads them to tell a thousand
lies. They persuade themselves, that if it be no way injurious to
others, it is harmless and innocent, and they shelter their falsehoods
under the softer name of _untruths_. These persons are foolish enough to
imagine, that if they can recite any thing wonderful, they draw the
attention of the company, and if they themselves are the objects of that
wonder, they are looked up to as persons extraordinary. This has made
many men to see things that never were in being, hear things that never
were said, atchieve feats that never were attempted, dealing always in
the marvellous. Such may be assured, however unwilling the persons they
are conversing with may be to laugh in their faces, that they hold them
secretly in the highest contempt; for he who will tell a lie thus idly,
will not scruple to tell a greater, where his interest is concerned.
Rather than any person should doubt of my veracity for one minute, I
would deprive myself of telling abroad either what I had really seen or
heard, if such things did not carry with them the face of probability.
OTHERS again will boast of the great respect they meet with in certain
companies; of the honors that are continually heaped on them there; of
the great price they give for every thing they purchase; and this to be
thought of consequence; but, unless such people have the best and most
accurate memory, they will, perhaps, very soon after, contradict their
former assertions, and subject themselves to contempt and derision.
REMEMBER then as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can
carry you through life with honor and credit. Liars are not only
disagreeable but dangerous companions, and, when known, will ever be
shunned by men of understanding. Besides, as the greatest liars are
generally the greatest fools, a man who addicts himself to this
detestable vice, will not only be looked upon as vulgar, but will never
be considered as a man of sense.