To be Truthful is to be Human

by

Anslin.J
Introduction
We humans are superior to animals with our ability to think and analyze.
Animals do not live with human values but we humans are supposed to live so. Now, the
question is Do we live as humans? Being born blessed in this world and passing away
leading a vivid life, a man cannot be defined as Human. To be a human, life should be
well-lived with certain standards. All the standards to be a human are met, if a man stays
truthful to his own self.
Next, the question is Is that possible? of course, yes and this answer can be
validated with a real life experiment.
Abraham Lincoln, the former president of USA in his early career life, worked as
a store clerk. According to a story, as mentioned by Gordon Leidner on Lincolns
honesty, whenever he realized he had shortchanged a customer by a few pennies, he
would close the shop and used to get back the correct change-regardless of how far he
had to walk.
He is well known for his integrity among the people by the way he lived.
According to Robert Rutledge of New Salem, "Lincoln's judgment was final in all that
region of country. Lincoln admitted there was a "popular belief that lawyers are
necessarily dishonest." And his advice to potential lawyers was: "Resolve to be honest at
all events; and if in your judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest
without being a lawyer. Choose some other occupation, rather than one in the choosing
of which you do, in advance, consent to be a knave."
According to Judge David Davis, in whose court Lincoln practiced for many
years, "The framework for Lincoln's mental and moral being was honesty, and a wrong
cause was poorly defended by him." Another judge who had worked with Lincoln agreed,
saying "Such was the transparent candor and integrity of his nature that he could not
well or strongly argue a side or a cause he thought wrong."

Lincoln was ethical not only in his legal dealings with clients, but also with his
personal relationships. Today, historians tell us there is not a single credible story of
Lincoln's being unfaithful to his wife.
If he is able to live so, then why cant we?
The antonym of truth is deceit. The truth and deceit could be well understood with
an ancient story which I read from the book Living with honor written by Shiv Khera.
Once truth and deceit were travelling together. Truth looked rather starved and
was wearing rags. Deceit said, You seem to be in a pretty bad shape and Truth replied,
Yes, I am. Nobody respects me or even gives me a job, but they make fun of me. Deceit
convinced Truth to follow his way and change his lifestyle for the better. Truth decided to
follow Deceit not because he felt that it was right but because he was starved. They went
to a fine restaurant. Deceit placed the order and they ate some finest food. But before
they got down to paying the bill, Deceit shouted and called the manager and said he was
waiting for the change from the waiter.
This story depicts the importance of truth and also the importance of remaining steadfast
under temptations.
In this rugged world, its hard to be truthful, but at the same time its possible to be
truthful.

Conclusion
In this rugged world, its hard to be truthful, but at the same time its possible to
be truthful.
We cannot cross the sea merely by Standing and Staring at the water
-

Rabindranath Tagore

Let us jump into this tempest ocean (world) and let us remain steadfast under all
trials, and let us live a truthful life abounded with all blessings. Such that in our
condolence the world will say, He lived as a Human.

References
1. http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lawlect.htm
2. http://www.greatamericanhistory.net/honesty.htm
3. Shiv Khera, 2003: Living With Honour.