Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
'Tis not enough your counsel still be true; Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Sometimes, being overly honest can do more harm than a gentle lie.
This quote by Alexander Pope suggests that while honesty is important, the manner in which we convey the truth can greatly affect its impact. A harsh truth can lead to more harm than a well-intended falsehood, highlighting the need for tact and diplomacy in communication.
Themes
TruthHonestyCommunicationWisdomTact
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting discussing performance reviews, you might say this quote to emphasize the need for thoughtful feedback.
More from Alexander Pope
All quotes βWhat dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.
Alexander PopeRead
Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare; And beauty draws us with a single hair.
Alexander PopeRead
An honest man's the noblest work of God.
Alexander PopeRead
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;_x000D_ _x000D_ Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
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Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
Alexander PopeRead
Similar quotes
When you drop the ego, you drop a whole world that you have created around it. For the first time you are able to see things as they are - not as you would like them to be. And when you are capable of knowing the facts of life, you become capable of knowing the truth. The facility of life is the first step towards truth. And ego is the most falsifying agent.
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Long experience has taught me this about the status of mankind with regard to matters requiring thought: the less people know and understand about them, the more positively they attempt to argue concerning them, while on the other hand to know and understand a multitude of things renders men cautious in passing judgment upon anything new.
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The myriad things are complete in us. There is no greater joy than to reflect on ourselves and become sincere.
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Liberty of speech invites and provokes liberty to be used again, and so bringeth much to a man's knowledge.
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Your mind must become one, do not try to understand with your ears but with your heart. Indeed, not with your heart but with your soul.
ZhuangziRead