Beware of flatterers for they will turn on you when it suits them. Learn to recognise sincere praise and distinguish it from the words others think you want to hear. To help you in this, cultivate a taste for bald truth. Prefer it to euphemism. You may have to use diplomacy yourself but always try to see through the diplomacy of others. Always prefer to hear the truth, however unpleasant it may be, than to hear a pleasant lie. For that reason, always encourage those around you to speak the truth pleasantly and discourage pleasant untruths.
Study the situations of others; see where their interests lie. Then you will be able to judge the truth of what they say for they will always speak for their own interests. (By interests here we mean those things that are of advantage to them, not their hobbies).
Showing posts with label euphemisms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label euphemisms. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, December 5, 2010
278. Kill Procrastination
Never put off your plans until tomorrow. "Tomorrow" never comes. Practice the habit of doing things immediately. Learn to recognise the euphemisms that people use when they don't want you to spot that they are procrastinating or trying to avoid doing what you ask. Words such as "deferred", "pending" or "withheld" imply that they are going to do it SOME day, just not right now. Euphemisms are a form of lying. Don't be fooled by this; take the action that is appropriate NOW.
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