A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1929, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

SAY IT TO HIM! “ 1 have never said anything Of a man that L should have the slightest scruple in saying to him,” said George Washington. What a different world it would be if we, too, could truthfully say that! Exactly the opposite is true of most of us. Wo have no scruple in saying to others what we think of a man, but we have very decided scruples against saying it to him. So much so that it is generally accepted as bad Iform, even under provocation, to tell a man one’s opinion' ol him if it happens to he unfavourable. Just why this should he so I have always been at a loss to understand, for it would seem the essence of good form to be able to look a man squarely in the eye, and tell him what you think of him—should the occasion arise—rather than tell his friends. It would have a good effect upon one’s own character, and possibly quite as good an effect upon the character of the man under lire.

In any case, how much unnecessary hypocrisy and dissembling candour it would save us, and bow much better off this old world and those who are in it would he if you and 1 and your friens and mine “ never said anything Of a man that we would have the slightest scruple in saving to him! ”

—M. PRESTON STANLEY