The quote "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything" by Mark Twain is definitely one of my favorite sayings. This quote is short and rather simplistic but it is strikes me with its deeper meaning. When you tell the truth you don't have to hold inside all the lies you tell to people around you. This idea is quite obvious, but it is rarely practiced in real life. Most people surround themselves with the web of lies which keeps continually growing considering that after you lied ones you have to lie again to cover up for it. They are constantly under enormous pressure and stress from bearing these lies in mind. No matter how hard you try to hide the truth eventually it will be known because one can't keep lying indefinitely without being caught. I've had several experiences that reflects this quote withing the circle of my friends and family members. One member of my family was getting away with being dishonest to his wife and kids for quite a long time, but the truth found its way out and now he lost his family and respect. Ones you got caught with lying it is very hard to restore your reputation as an honest person.
The quote "The open-minded see the truth in different things: the narrow-minded see only the differences" explains most problems and conflicts facing modern society. Some cultures see their truth as the only truth that one should follow. The term ethnocentrism (seeing your culture as superior in comparison to others) is often applied in explanation of this phenomena. Most of the issues and conflicts around the world would be dealt with if only people would learn to see the truth in different things. The existence of many truths does not make one's beliefs less important or less true. It just helps to understand that what's hold true for you is not necessarily true for others around you. I came across this principle while studying in San Francisco State University. I learned in the group projects that people from other cultures may hold perspectives completely opposite to mine. It was hard at first to come to an agreement, but these experience helped me in the process of learning how to listen to others without sacrificing my own truth.
Mark Twain's quote made a big impact on me too. I agree that telling the truth is a rarity these days, only because it's just easier to lie and get away with it. Mark Twain couldn't have been more correct in saying that nothing has to be remembered when telling the truth because it is something that is bare. A lie can be dressed up and is always something that has to be remembered just in case that the lie isn't repeated. I agree that it is hard to restore your reputation once a lie is told.. it's also difficult to regain a person's trust. It's saddening to think how much can be lost with a lie whereas so much can be gained by just telling the simple truth. I reiterate, it's easier to lie. Although most people don't fully understand the consequence of lying, if they did then they wouldn't do it. I believe that people find fear in truth because if telling the truth has a tie to a negative connotation, then it is to be avoided. Yet the more one avoids the truth, the more severe the circumstance. I also agree with your statement that the existence of many truths doesn't make one's beliefs less important or true. As discussed in class, it can be subjective and everyone has a right to their own opinion and belief. I'm glad to hear that you keep in open-mindedness to other people's belief it what is true while maintaining your own. I've come across many people who have the inability to do that
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