It takes more courage than we imagine to be perfectly simple with other men. Our frankness is often spoiled by a hidden barbarity, born of fear.
False sincerity has much to say, because it is afraid. True candor can afford to be silent. It does not need to face an anticipated attack. Anything it may have to defend can be defended with perfect simplicity.
Thomas Merton. A Merton Reader, ed. by Thomas P. McDonnell, (New York: Image Books, 1989) 123
I dearly love Merton. He had such a way of saying things.
ReplyDeletePeace
Indeed,Paul
ReplyDeleteRon:
ReplyDelete"It does not need to face an anticipated attack."
All one has to do is watch a debate between political candidates to see what Merton was suggesting. There is more attack than listening involved in the exchanges,
Yes, good application of Merton's words to today's world!
ReplyDelete