QuoteProject
I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. Try it, ye who think there is nothing in it! Try what it is to speak with God behind you, to speak so as to be only the arrow in the bow which the Almighty draws.
Henry Ward Beecher
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Valuing truth over flattery or falsehood, regardless of the audience size.

In this quote, Henry Ward Beecher emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in communication. He suggests that speaking the truth, even if heard by only a few, is far more significant and purposeful than delivering insincere words to a vast audience. Beecher also highlights the spiritual strength that comes from aligning one’s speech with divine truth.

Themes

TruthHonestyIntegrityCommunicationWisdomFaith

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a speech on ethics and integrity.

More from Henry Ward Beecher

The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
A man who cannot get angry is like a stream that cannot overflow, that is always turbid. Sometimes indignation is as good as a thunderstorm in summer, clearing and cooling the air.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No one can deal with the hearts of men unless he has the sympathy which is given by love.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No man can tell if he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
Henry Ward BeecherRead

Similar quotes

Although the masters make the rules for the wise men and the fools, I've got nothing, Ma, to live up to.
Bob DylanRead
The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain common work as it comes certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.
Marie CurieRead
There are men too superior to be seen except by a few, as there are notes too high for the scale of most ears.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
Let every Christian, as much as in him lies, engage himself openly and publicly, before all the World, in some mental pursuit for the Building up of Jerusalem.
William BlakeRead
When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before.
Mae WestRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.