Distrust it for that very reason. It may
seem to you very eloquent and full of fine words. Distrust it for
that very reason. The man who cannot tell his story without wrapping
it up in fine words, generally does not know very clearly what he is
talking about. The man who cannot speak or write without scolding
and exaggeration, is not very likely to be able to give sound advice
to his fellow-men.
Remember that it is by violent language of this kind, in all ages,
that fanatical preachers have deceived silly men and women to their
shame and ruin; and mob-leaders have stirred up riots and horrible
confusions. Remember this: and distrust violent and wordy persons
wheresoever you shall meet them: but after listening to them, if you
must, go home, and take out your Bibles, and read the Gospel of St.
John, and see how he spoke, the true Son of Thunder, whose words are
gone out into all lands, and their sound unto the end of the world,
just because they are calm and sober, plain and simple, like the
words of Jesus Christ his Lord and our Lord, who spake as never man
spake.
And for ourselves--let us remember our Lord's own warning: 'Let your
Yea be Yea, and your Nay Nay; for whatsoever is more than these
cometh of evil.'
Tell your story plainly and calmly; speak your mind if you must.
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