Something fantastic about Mr. Rhett Butler is how he always tells Scarlett what's up. He doesn't play games with her, he tells her what he thinks, even when it's harsh and REALLY what she does not want to hear.
He often comes off as cruel or mean. But I say: what's worse--telling a harsh truth or a pretty lie?
I'd rather have my heart broken with honesty than be led on believing a falsehood. I want criticism, I want to hear that maybe someone just doesn't want to hang out with me, or yes, that dress does make me look fat. Concealing hard things from someone will not make those things disappear. It will most often just allow the situation to get worse when it could have been resolved with a dose of honesty.
Because I infinitely prefer the truth to any form of dishonesty, even 'white lies', I give all those I care about the respect to be sincere with them.
“To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.”
― Charles Dickens
My closest friends know what my honesty really means. It means I'll tell you if you're being too crazy, I will remove myself from a hug that I don't want to continue, and if you ask, I'll give you my complete, unadulterated opinion. Even if that opinion might really tick you off.
I'm not only truthful with my best friends, though. I'm very frank with everyone: My manager who might half-jokingly ask my opinion on something at work will most likely hear my opinion. Someone who asks if I missed them and I didn't, I'll tell them "Nope." A guy who asks me if I'd date someone like him and I wouldn't, I tell him so.
For whatever reason, people are often surprised at how honest I will be with them. They'll often think I'm kidding or being sarcastic. Some will think I'm trying to 'slay' whoever I'm talking to (as in above guy, the one I wouldn't date). I'm not trying to be mean, witty, or put others down. That is SO not the goal. I'm following the golden rule and treating everyone how I want to be treated. Unfortunately, it's not always seen that way...
I'm sure I've hurt a lot of peoples' feelings with my sharp tongue. I'm sure some would say that this quote fits me perfectly:
“All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness.”
― Tennessee Williams
Guys, you know I'm not sugarcoated, but cruelty is something I despise. Even though I rarely admit it, I'm pretty much a bumbling, naive KID. I say dumb things a lot.
“The truth needs so little rehearsal.”
― Barbara Kingsolver
Sometimes this lack of rehearsal results in a lot of blabbed words and hurt feelings. I'm sorry. Please let me know if I've ever hurt you with my words because I promise it was not intentional and I'll try my best to repair it if I can.
I believe in truth. In my opinion, truth, in all forms, is the highest virtue. Truth encompasses loyalty, honesty, integrity, and consistency. The best way to hurt me is to lie, cheat, or not implement what you profess to be your standards. What will me make me respect you the most is congruence, dependability, and be completely honest with me even, even especially, when it's hardest.
Now here's a few more cool quotes on honesty...
“The truly scary thing about undiscovered lies is that they have a greater capacity to diminish us than exposed ones.”
― Cheryl Hughes
“Truth builds trust.”
― Marilyn Suttle
“What you didn't tell someone was just as debilitating as what you did.”
― Jodi Picoult
“Don’t spoil me with your lies, love me with your truth.”
― T.F. Hodge
“Maybe my expectations for honesty are too high.”
― Kelley Armstrong,
“The trouble with most of us is that we'd rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
― Norman Vincent Peale
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