The Height Of Honesty
'Three friends once, in the course of conversation,
Touch'd upon honesty: 'No virtue better,'
Says Dick, quite lost in sweet self-admiration,
'I'm sure I'm honest;--ay--beyond the letter:
You know the field I rent; beneath the ground
My plough stuck in the middle of a furrow
And there a pot of golden coins I found!
My landlord has it, without fail, to-morrow.'
Thus modestly his good intents he told:
'But stay,' says Bob,' we soon shall see who's best,
A _stranger_ left with me uncounted gold!
But I'll not touch it; which is honestest?'
'Your honest acts I've heard,' says Jack, 'but I
Have done much better, would that all folks learn'd it,
Mine is the highest pitch of honesty--
I borrow'd an umbrella and--_return'd it!!
poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper
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Related quotes
In all honesty
In all honesty
today has been
something out of the ordinary.
In all honesty
I could do with some christmas carols
and a mug of hot chocolate.
In all honesty
walking on the road without a sidewalk
is more exhilerating than anything else.
In all honesty
watching fog settle over the road
can bring tears to anyones eyes.
In all honesty
you're the only person
I'm mostly honest to.
In all honesty
this poem
is entirely honest.
poem by Erica Francis
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Jack Honest, or the Widow and Her Son
Jack Honest was only eight years of age when his father died,
And by the death of his father, Mrs Honest was sorely tried;
And Jack was his father's only joy and pride,
And for honesty Jack couldn't be equalled in the country-side.
So a short time before Jack's father died,
'Twas loud and bitterly for Jack he cried,
And bade him sit down by his bedside,
And then told him to be honest whatever did betide.
John, he said, looking him earnestly in the face,
Never let your actions your name disgrace,
Remember, my dear boy, and do what's right,
And God will bless you by day and night.
Then Mr Honest bade his son farewell, and breathed his last,
While the hot tears from Jack's eyes fell thick and fast;
And the poor child did loudly sob and moan,
When he knew his father had left him and his mother alone.
So, as time wore on, Jack grew to be a fine boy,
And was to his mother a help and joy;
And, one evening, she said, Jack, you are my only prop,
I must tell you, dear, I'm thinking about opening a shop.
Oh! that's a capital thought, mother, cried Jack,
And to take care of the shop I won't be slack;
Then his mother said, Jackey, we will try this plan,
And look to God for his blessing, and do all we can.
So the widow opened the shop and succeeded very well,
But in a few months fresh troubles her befell--
Alas! poor Mrs Honest was of fever taken ill,
But Jack attended his mother with a kindly will.
But, for fear of catching the fever, her customers kept away,
And once more there wasn't enough money the rent to pay;
And in her difficulties Mrs Honest could form no plan to get out,
But God would help her, she had no doubt.
So, one afternoon, Mrs Honest sent Jack away
To a person that owed her some money, and told him not to stay,
But when he got there the person had fled,
And to return home without the money he was in dread.
So he saw a gentleman in a carriage driving along at a rapid rate,
And Jack ran forward to his mansion and opened the lodge-gate,
Then the gentleman opened his purse and gave him, as he thought, a shilling
For opening the lodge-gate so cleverly and so willing.
Then Jack stooped to lift up the coin, when lo and behold!
He found to his surprise it was a piece of gold!
And Jack cried oh! joyful, this will make up for my mother's loss,
Then he ran home speedily, knowing his mother wouldn't be cross.
And when he got home he told his mother of his ill success,
And his adventure with the gentleman, then she felt deep distress;
And when Jack showed her the sovereign, the gentleman gave him,
She cried, We mustn't keep that money, it would be a sin.
Dear mother, I thought so, there must be some mistake,
But in the morning, to Squire Brooksby, the sovereign I'll take;
So, when morning came, he went to Squire Brooksby's Hall,
And at the front door for the Squire he loudly did call.
Then the hall door was opened by a footman, dressed in rich livery,
And Jack told him he wished Mr Brooksby to see;
Then to deliver Jack's message the footman withdrew,
And when the footman returned he said, Master will see you.
Then Jack was conducted into a rich furnished room,
And to Mr Brooksby he told his errand very soon,
While his honest heart, with fear, didn't quake,
Saying, Mr Brooksby, you gave me a sovereign yesterday in a mistake.
Why, surely I have seen you before, said Mr Brooksby;
Yes, Sir, replied Jack Honest, bowing very politely;
Then what is your name, my honest lad? Asked Mr Brooksby;
John Honest, sir, replied Jack, right fearlessly.
The, my brave lad, you are Honest by name, and honest by nature,
Which, really, you appear to be in every feature,
But, I am afraid, such boys as you are very few,
But, I dare say, your mother has taught you.
Then Jack laid the sovereign down on the table before Mr Brooksby;
But Mr Brooksby said, No! my lad, I freely give it to thee;
Then Jack said, Oh, sir, I'm obliged to you I'm sure,
Because, sir, this money will help my mother, for she is poor.
Mrs Brooksby came to see Mrs Honest in a few days,
And for Jack's honesty she was loud in praise;
And she took Jack into her service, and paid him liberally,
And she gave Mrs Honest a house, for life, rent free.
Now, I must leave Jack Honest and his mother in fresh found glory,
Hoping my readers will feel interested in this story,
And try always to imitate the hero-- Jack Honest--
And I'm sure they will find it the safest and the best!
poem by William Topaz McGonagall
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Though it is tough
Though it is tough Few tell lies, honesty is found Majority are liars It is much more honorable to be honest Honesty is the best legacy The narrow path leads through narrow path of honesty and so trouble gets far away from our domain We see and acknowledge it is true
poem by Olayemi Ayo
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Tenderness
Words & music by paul simon
What can I do
What can I do
Much of what you say is true
I know you see through me
But theres no tenderness
Beneath your honesty
Oh, right and wrong
Right and wrong
Ooh, never helped us get along
You say you care for me
But theres no tenderness
Beneath your honesty
You and me were such good friends
Whats your hurry?
You and me could make amends
Im not worried
Im not worried
Oh, honesty,
Oh, honesty
Ooh, its such a waste of energy
No you dont have to lie to me
Just give me some tenderness
Beneath your honesty
You dont have to lie to me
Just give me some tenderness
song performed by by Paul Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Honesty verses loyalty
Loyalty is being honest to a person;
Honesty is being loyal to a cause.
Loyalty is being faithful
And honesty, being virtuous.
Kumbakarna was loyal;
Vibhishna was honest.
The world is run by loyalty
Rather than by honesty.
07.09.2009
[Kumbakarna and Vibhishna are yonger brothers of King Ravana in the Hindu epic Ramayana.]
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Do You Think You're Honest?
Many times honesty becomes a
question of affordability. It is far
easier to be honest if you have
all that you need. Try being honest
when homeless, disenfranchised or
badly in need of food. You see...given the
time and circumstances...honesty
becomes a question affordability.
The Honest Politician
There was a man, whose reputation in the land was strong;
In winter and in summer, honest as the day was long.
So all his friends advised him that before his time was spent
He'd have to run for office and go into Parliament.
On honesty and openness this fellow then campaigned;
From telling lies or twisting truths he without fail refrained.
He told the people what he thought they all wanted to hear;
He'd tell his honest policies to all who'd lend an ear.
He said were he in government, then things would have to change;
He'd made a careful study and the laws he'd rearrange;
He'd have to cut some salaries and trim the public spend;
And half the public servants to the dole queue he would send.
He said that we relied too much on borrowings from banks
And we would be in trouble when the housing market tanks.
We'd all have to work harder, for we reap but what we sow,
And all restrictive legislation, out the door he'd throw.
And lots of other policies he said he'd put in place;
The nation would be better off - we'd be back in the race;
Give help to honest industry - he wouldn't sell the farm;
He'd boost the military so we'd all be safe from harm.
The people listened to him and his honesty admired;
They said his goals were admirable and what they too desired,
But they had all grown used to scams, pork barreling and lies;
Some wondered if this honesty was really very wise.
Opponents, unfamiliar with this new found idea - truth,
Just winked and nodded - said they'd see him at the voting booth.
He's still around, he hasn't changed, by all he's still respected;
He got few votes, we needn't fear, he didn't get elected.
poem by Dennis N. O'Brien
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The trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.
quote by Robert E. Lee
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life For Rent
I haven't ever really found a place that I call home
I never stick around quite long enough to make it
I apologize that once again I'm not in love
But it's not as if I mind
that your heart ain't exactly breaking
It's just a thought, only a thought
But if my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine
I've always thought
that I would love to live by the sea
To travel the world alone
and live more simply
I have no idea what's happened to that dream
As there's really nothing left here to stop me
It's just a thought, only a thought
But if my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine
But if my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine
While my heart is a shield and I won't let it down
While I am so afraid to fail so I won't even try
Well how can I say I'm alive
But if my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine
But if my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine
Coz nothing I have is truly mine,
Coz nothing I have is truly mine,
Coz nothing I have is truly mine.
song performed by by Dido
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Have Some Friends
I have some friends, some worthy friends,
And worthy friends are rare:
These carpet slippers on my feet,
That padded leather chair;
This old and shabby dressing-gown,
So well the worse of wear.
I have some friends, some honest friends,
And honest friends are few;
My pipe of briar, my open fire,
A book that's not too new;
My bed so warm, the nights of storm
I love to listen to.
I have some friends, some good, good friends,
Who faithful are to me:
My wrestling partner when I rise,
The big and burly sea;
My little boat that's riding there
So saucy and so free.
I have some friends, some golden friends,
Whose worth will not decline:
A tawny Irish terrier, a purple shading pine,
A little red-roofed cottage that
So proudly I call mine.
All other friends may come and go,
All other friendships fail;
But these, the friends I've worked to win,
Oh, they will never stale;
And comfort me till Time shall write
The finish to my tale.
poem by Robert William Service
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Stay In Touch
This is really something
People will be envious
But our roles arent clear
So we musnt rush
Still, were burning brightly
Clinging like fire to fuel
Im grinning like a fool
Stay in touch
We should stay in touch
Oh! stay in touch
In touch
Part of this is permanent
Part of this is passing
So we must be loyal and wary
Not to give away too much
Til we build a firm foundation
And empty out old habits
Old habits
Stay in touch
We should stay in touch
Oh! stay in touch
In touch
During times like these
The wise or influential
They can bear the imperfections
They can keep the money
No doubt about it
No doubt thats essential
No doubt thats always been a tricky one for me
So, we should just surrender
Let fate and duty shape us
Let light hearts remake us
Let the worries hush
In the middle of this continent
In the middle of our time on earth
We perceive one another
Stay in touch
We should stay in touch
Oh! stay in touch
In touch
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A child, from the time he can think, should think about all he sees, should suffer for all who cannot live with honesty, should work so that all men can be honest, and should be honest himself.
quote by Jose Marti
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You Asked For This
You asked for this.
And every bit of what I have,
Is yours from me to be given.
You asked for this!
Oh yes,
You did.
We agreed to always between us,
Have honesty.
And my being honest,
You now wish...
I wouldn't easily be as free,
To share this honesty we agreed.
You asked for this!
Oh yes,
You did.
And now you murmur,
Between clinched teeth and twisted lips...
Your hips belong in a thong bathing suit.
And I say the wearing of that thong is wrong.
You just don't look good at all in it.
And if I suggested,
Your hips and chest block out the Sunset...
You declare me insensitive.
When it is only honesty from me to you I give.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Almost any difficulty will move in the face of honesty. When I am honest I never feel stupid. And when I am honest I am automatically humble.
quote by Hugh Prather
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A precious acquisition
Honesty,
A virtue so precious.
With it,
Lives are saved.
Without it,
Are lives destroyed.
Honesty,
A precious possession.
The humble,
Like a guest embrace.
The greedy,
Like an enemy they shun,
And with mud,
On its face they smear.
But the fools,
Like a stranger they fear.
Honesty,
A precious possession.
Its lovers,
To hens are metaphored,
But their ridiculers,
Are the hens themselves,
For God,
Honesty initiates and loves.
So anyone,
Who honesty champions,
Will for eternity,
God's friend remain.
Honesty,
A priceless commodity.
poem by Michael Wamalwa
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Got A Friend
Honesty dropped between solid socialisms
when I saw that
I leanrned you were beautiful
I thought I would wait for you to be friends with me
I think I will cry
when your honesty touches my heart next time
in a conversation
Being plus is the strength
Be good to the good;
Be good to the bad too.
Goodness has strength.
Be honest to the honest;
Be honest to the dishonest too.
Honesty has strength.
Be true to the true one;
Be true to the untrue one too.
Truth has strength.
Be just to the just one;
Be just to others too.
Being just has strength.
Be in love with the one loving;
Be in love with one ignoring.
Love has strength.
Be positive in action;
It generates strength.
It promotes health.
13.02.2000, Palakkad
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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You Are Indeed Beautiful
Beautiful, are you, as the flowers of the field.
Beautiful, is the sound of your voice.
Beautiful, is the touch of your hand.
Beautiful, are the eyes that speak of love.
Beautiful, is your understanding and kindness.
Beautiful, is the way you always consider others.
Beautiful, are the courage of your convictions.
Beautiful, are the silent, countless words of, I love you.
Beautiful, is the softness of your touch.
Beautiful, are the children that you hold dear.
Beautiful, is your faith, honesty and loyalty.
Beautiful, are the people, you bless with your love.
Beautiful, are you secret acts of charity.
Beautiful, is the goodness, you give to all.
Beautiful, is the way your never judge anyone.
Beautiful, is your never dreaming...that you are indeed so beautiful.
Beautiful, is your heart...your very soul.
Beautiful, is the way you have made this a better world.
Beautiful, is the helping hand, you extend to all.
Have I told you, you are beautiful in every way?
Have I told you, my beautiful one, that I love you?
I Owe It First To Myself To Be Honest
I owe it first to myself to be honest.
I use to believe it did not matter,
If I kept the depth of my feelings hidden.
But then I realized I had a wish,
To have at least one person unafraid...
To escape and leave behind their pretentions.
And today after doing it to strip myself free,
My ability to recognize honesty in others...
Is a feeling I get that is non-verbally expressed.
And I could care less,
Who accepts expressed pretentions!
I owe it first to myself to be honest.
I had been the last to know I'd been tricked,
By the foolishness of believing others had arrived.
To find myself deluded in the midst,
Of those too comfortable with the telling of lies.
I can now detect with my ears and eyes.
To leave my honesty disguised if I must.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Beautiful Are You...
Beautiful, are you, as the flowers of the field.
Beautiful, is the sound of your voice.
Beautiful, is the touch of your hand.
Beautiful, are the eyes that speak of love.
Beautiful, is your understanding and kindness.
Beautiful, is the way you always consider others.
Beautiful, are the courage of your convictions.
Beautiful, are the silent, countless words of, I love you.
Beautiful, is the softness of your touch.
Beautiful, are the children that you hold dear.
Beautiful, is your faith, honesty and loyalty.
Beautiful, are the people, you bless with your love.
Beautiful, are you secret acts of charity.
Beautiful, is the goodness, you give to all.
Beautiful, is the way your never judge anyone.
Beautiful, is your never dreaming...that you are indeed so beautiful.
Beautiful, is your heart...your very soul.
Beautiful, is the way you have made this a better world.
Beautiful, is the helping hand, you extend to all.
Have I told you, you are beautiful in every way?
Have I told you, my beautiful one, that I love you?
We are blessed to know, one who is as beautiful
as you, in so many ways.
P.S.
I love you.