A61398:267
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a calling in general : and directions for the right managing of the tradesman's calling in particular / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J.D. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Tradesman's Calling. › Chapter 5 › Section 4: Of Truth or Veracity in a Trade.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
(1.) There is Equity in it. Every Man would be truly dealt with: No Man would be content that his Wife, Children, or Servants should deny the Truth, or feed him with Lies. Which of you chooses to have any thing to do with those whom you cannot believe? Now is it not very equal, that you should alway speak the Truth, that do desire always to hear others speak it? Is it reasonable that other Folks should live by one Rule, and you by another? That Truth should be eligible by all others, and not by you? This Veracity and Justice are so conjunct, that he cannot be just in his Dealings, that is false in his Words: For the same Law that commands us to do by others, as we would be done unto, equally obliges us to speak in our Commerce to them, as we would be spoken to.
(1.) There is Equity in it. Every Man would be truly dealt with: No Man would be content that his Wife, Children, or Servants should deny the Truth, or feed him with Lies. Which of you chuses to have any thing to do with those whom you cannot believe? Now is it not very equal, that you should alway speak the Truth, that do desire always to hear others speak it? Is it reasonable that other Folks should live by one Rule, and you by another? That Truth should be eligible by all others, and not by you? This Veracity and Justice are so conjunct, that he cannot be just in his Dealings, that is false in his Words: For the same Law that commands us to do by others, as we would be done unto, equally obliges us to speak in our Commerce to them, as we would be spoken to.
(2.) There is Commodity in it. This Veracity is so commodious, yea so necessary among Men; that all Civil Society is dissolved without it. For all Transactions and Commerce between Man and Man, do lean upon this Fundamental Point; That one Man may believe another; now if Men do not constantly speak the Truth, how can they ⟨p. 142⟩be believed? thus all human Conversation is shaken. Now Reason it self must needs enter an Action against any Course that overthrows the good of Mankind: and it were endless to transcribe the pithy Expressions of divers of the Heathens, in the praise of Truth and Veracity, and in defiance of the contrary.