A61398:269
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.
(3.) There in Ingenuity in it. There is a certain bravery of Spirit and true Courage in speaking the Truth, and a real cowardice in blanching and denying it. It is only some worldly Hopes, or sordid Fear that doth bias the Tongue from its true Office; which is to be an Interpreter of the Mind. Let no Man that trades in Lies, pretend to Generosity. Hence all noble Spirits are so sensible of the Imputation, that they will presently answer the Lie given them with their Sword: which tho neither true Fortitude nor Piety can ever justify; yet such their Sensibleness proves, how ingenuous a thing it is to speak the Truth, and how base a thing to pervert it.
(3.) There in Ingenuity in it. There is a certain bravery of Spirit and true Courage in speaking the Truth, and a real cowardize in blanching and denying it. It is only some worldly Hopes, or sordid Fear that doth biass the Tongue from its true Office; which is to be an Interpreter of the Mind. Let no Man that trades in Lies, pretend to Generosity. Hence all noble Spirits are so sensible of the Imputation, that they will presently answer the Lie given them with their Sword: which tho neither true Fortitude nor Piety can ever justify; yet such their Sensibleness proves, how ingenuous a thing it is to speak the Truth, and how base a thing to pervert it.
(4.) There is Policy in speaking the Truth, honest Policy; for every Man should by all good means, maintain and promote his Credit. This is the only way to make a Man credible: Who will believe one, who he knows is accustomed to derogate from the Truth? Such a Person shall not be believed, when he speaks never so truly. He that is punctual in his Words, shall be believed in doubtful things, when the other will be suspected in certain things. Among the very Turks, the word of a Mahometan, spoken on the Faith of a Mussulman, weighs against all Contradiction. And therefore, setting aside the Scripture, there's ⟨p. 143⟩great reason for this Veracity, unless ye are content to be esteemed profligate Wretches, who neither value the esteem of God or Man. Such Persons will find in the issue, when they have affrighted all that know them from dealing with them, that Honesty is the best Policy, and that the Reputation of fair dealing within, is better than the fairest Sign they can hang out.