A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1929, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

"THEY SAY ” I in;he arc two little words in the English language which have* much to answer for, and they are “ They say ” Cowards, liars, gossips, slanderers detractors, and reputation-wreckers are particularly devoted to this form. When you hear “they say” used destructively, measure your man, and take care. “ They say ” may be said of sonic oilier ’fellow to-day—but they may be saying it of your to-morrow. “They say” is a cover behind which the reptilian branch of the human family creep, and from which they attack—always the absent and generally the innocent, whom they envy. The tact that they are well dressed hr in society makes- no difference; many a well-dressed human reptile is to be found there, looking very much like other people. As a matter of fact, some of the most prominent members of the “ they say” club are to be found in “good” society. Rut who are “ they who say,” anyway? The main point about “ they say ” is that they don’t say. “ They ” is generally the fellow who is talking to you, and, Being one of the reptile order—a siipious. tortuous, devious, shuffling creature—by Nature quite incapable of fair fighting, bo employs the cover oT fho mysterious “they say.” The members of the “they say” cluli are too cowardly for the “1 say—T think—l believe—l know-of ” —clean, honourable, and upright men and women—men and women who never make a charge without evidence or listen to one—and who scorn innuendo, insinuation, suggestions as tools worthy only of the social footpad and assassin. “ They say” has caused unfold misery. “They say” has besmirched honour, destroyed trust, blighted hopes, severed friendship, killed love, broken hearts, put out the fires of ambition. And the tragedy of it is that many a thoughtless, foolish, kindly person has helped to produce this misery, because lie has listened to and passed on the sinister suggestions of the members of the “they say” club. Never mind who says “ they say.” Ask who are they who “ say.” before you say that which may be a wicked calumny perhaps bringing untold misery in its train. Re careful wlmt you sav, and never mind wlmt they say. —M. PRESTON STANLEY.