“I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are and not as they ought to be”

Simplified Meaning:

When someone says they feel it's their duty to show things as they truly are, they mean they believe in presenting the truth, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it might be, rather than showing an ideal version of reality. Imagine a doctor telling you about your health. Instead of saying everything is perfect when there is a serious problem, a good doctor will honestly explain what's going on so you can take the right steps to get better. For example, if there is a broken bridge in a city, an engineer who believes in truth will report the exact condition of the bridge. Even though it might worry people, knowing the truth helps everyone stay safe and allows the city to fix it properly. In everyday life, being truthful like this can help build trust. If you always say things as they really are, people will know they can rely on you. It might be hard sometimes because the truth is not always what people want to hear, but in the long run, it helps make better decisions and creates a more honest environment.