There is no limit to the height a man can attain by remaining on the level. Honesty is still the best policy. However, today there are less policy holders that there used to be. George Braque said, “Truth exists, only falsehood has to be invented.” Cervantes said, “Truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water.”
White lies leave black marks on a man’s reputation. You can’t stretch the truth without making your story look pretty thin. When you stretch the truth, it will snap back at you. Truth will win every argument if you stick with it long enough. Though truth may not be popular, it is always right. The fact that nobody wants to believe something, doesn’t keep it from being true.
Two half-truths do not necessarily constitute the whole truth. In fact, beware of half-truths. You may have gotten hold of the wrong half. You will find that a lie has no legs. It has to be supported by other lies. The truth is one thing for which there are no known substitutes. There is no acceptable substitute for honesty. There is no valid excuse for dishonesty.
Nothing shows dirt like a white lie. At times a fib starts out as a little white lie, but it usually ends up as a double feature in Technicolor. It may appear to you that a lie may take care of the present, but I want to let you know it has no future.
The only way to truly be free is to be a person of truth. John 8:32 asserts, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Truth is strong and it will prevail.
A shady person never produces a bright life. Herbert Casson said, “Show me a liar and I will show you a thief.” A liar will not be believed even though he tells the truth. George Bernard Shaw said, “The liar’s punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else.”
Liars have no true friends. “If you lie and then tell the truth, the truth will be considered a lie” (Sumerian). An honest man alters his ideas to fit the truth and a dishonest man alters the truth to fit his ideas. There are no degrees of honesty.
The Bible says, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the tablet of thine heart” (Proverbs 3:3). M. Runbeck said, “There is no power on earth more formidable than the truth.” Consider what Pearl Buck said, “Truth is always exciting.” Speak it, then. Life is dull without it.
by John Mason.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.