The Cost of Honesty: Would You Keep Track of What It Costs to Be Truthful?

The Cost Of Honesty

Barbara Arnstein was surprised when a cab driver called from a taxi to say that she had forgotten her purse. Barbara was even more surprised when the driver refused a reward, saying, "If you don't mind, just tell me how much was in the purse." When she told him, he wrote the amount in a little book, explaining, "I keep a record of what it is costing me to be honest."

To be honest means to be upright and firm.

It is often difficult to be truthful, honest, and sincere. If we are true to ourselves, we will find it easier to be honest with others.

Honesty and Truthfulness: What is the Difference?

An honest man is always honest, but a truthful man is not always so. There were two cashiers, one honest and another truthful. During the audit, their accounts were perfect. Then, supervision was stopped, and the audit was done after a long gap. The result: the honest man carried on as if nothing had happened, but the truthful one was tempted to use some excess funds for his immediate needs.

Truthfulness is a forced character resembling honesty that one wears fearing reprisal. On the other hand, an honest man carries on irrespective of the situation. The cab driver is obviously honest; it is his character, and he does not know how to function in any other way. Honest people are rare and hard to find, while there are many truthful persons.

Regards,
RAMACHANDRAN.K