When you speak, be gentle, frank, sincere, clear, simple and truthful. Avoid all double talk, affectation and cleverness. You do not always have to say everything which is true, but you must not say what is not true.
Try never to permit yourself to tell a lie in way of excuse, or otherwise. God is truth. If you do say something untrue, try to correct this by explanation. A genuine excuse is far more powerful than a lie.
There are times when we need to keep back the truth out of prudence, but this should be only in important matters. Nothing is so valuable as simplicity.
When we need to contradict someone or give an opposite opinion, we should do it gently and skilfully, so as not to irritate our neighbors.
Wow. You do not always have to say everything which is true. I take this to heart, because I love "being helpful;" saying what I know, adding to the conversation "fascinating" extras or funny bits. But it profits me nothing to always be firstest with the mostest, and probably rarely profits the other.
Also, from St. Arsenius the Great (whoever he is):
I have always something to repent of after having talked, but have never been sorry for having been silent.
There's grace in shutting up.......
3 comments:
"Avoid all double talk, affectation and cleverness."
Gee, [Roz loosens collar], anyone else feel a little warm and uncomfortable around here? I don't think this is a hot flash. I do believe it's the Holy Spirit twisting the knife, so to speak. I rarely resist the temptation to add on something humorous, clever and designed to charm. Ouch.
Thanks, Therese, for this aid to my examinations of conscience.
thank you for reminding me of how *spot on* this saint is when it comes to words.
and gentility. he brings back an almost lost art form for today's modern woman (i hope nobody takes offense to that, it was simply how the "knife" was twisted in me a bit...)
great post, therese.
Or, as Mark Twain said, it is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Unfortunately I often do not heed this advice.
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