Tell troth and shame the devil.
Ben JonsonRead
Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant; and of all tame a flatterer.
Interpretation
Beware of those who seek power through manipulation, whether they are fierce or friendly.
This quote highlights the dangers posed by both tyrants, who wield power through fear and oppression, and flatterers, who may appear harmless yet manipulate others for personal gain. Jonson warns us to be cautious of both types of individuals, suggesting that true wisdom lies in recognizing and avoiding such characters in our lives.
In practice
During a leadership workshop discussing ethical leadership.
Tell troth and shame the devil.
We are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see and to be seen.
All concord's born of contraries.
Queen and huntress, chaste and fair Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep: Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, excellently bright.
I know no disease of the soul but ignorance, a pernicious evil, the darkener of man's life, the disturber of his reason, and common confounder of truth.
You are not now to think what's best to do, _x000D_ As in beginnings, but what must be done, _x000D_ Being thus enter'd; and slip no advantage _x000D_ That may secure you. Let them call it mischief; _x000D_ When it is past, and prosper'd , 'twill be virtue.
Just for today, I will let go of anger. Just for today, I will let go of worry. Today, I will count my many blessings. Today, I will do my work honestly. Today, I will be kind to every living creature.
Some things come with their own punishments. Like bedrooms with built-in cupboards. They would all learn more about punishments soon. That they came in different sizes. That some were so big they were like cupboards with built-in bedrooms. You could spend your whole life in them, wandering through dark shelving.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
A man's behavior is the index of the man, and his discourse is the index of his understanding.
Our way is to practice one step at a time, one breath at a time, with no gaining idea.
The mere act of believing that some wrongful course of action constitutes an advantage is pernicious.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.