Читать книгу The Prosperity Bible - Kahlil Gibran - Страница 107

Lying is the most despicable of all Crimes. The Liar is the King of Criminals. The last dean spot in a man’s raiment turns Crimson when he takes up the Business of Lying.

Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.

The Heart of an honest man melts away almost unto Death in the presence of the Liar. The very mercy of a kind God blushes with bowed head in Sadness at the sight and sound of the man who plies his Lies. Scorned by Society, the very Soul of the Liar revolts at the carrying about of Bones and Flesh so vile.

Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.

Recently a young man, large of Mind and Future, left his employment with a lie upon his lips. Coming into the seething whirl of the Great New York he sought his former friends. Immediately he began to hand out a stock of Lies. More abominably than any abandoned thief he slyly exchanged his Lies for Favors and for Gold. Then nervously yet quietly sneaking away under cover of his Lies, his Soul naked of Honor and Character, he sought refuge under his own-made Tent of Lies. There Self-convicted he now awaits Judgment.

Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.

Mark Twain spoke more than humor when he said: “When in doubt, speak the Truth.” Even the Devil hates a Liar — one of his own children. And Nature itself doses its eyes in shame as the Liar passes by.

Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.

You — Young Man, Young Woman, Business Builder, Doer of Things — whoever you are, and in whatever groove you work your way — Listen! Starve — die, rather than Lie. Flee from the presence of a Lie as from the Plague. Grasp the dean, strong hand of Truth and follow in its path through the livelong hours of every single passing day. Remembering that —

Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.