Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"حقیقتی که با نیت بد گفته شود"

William Blake
William Blake Poet
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
The core idea behind the phrase is pretty straightforward: sometimes, people tell the truth, but their reason for doing so is malicious. When someone reveals something true, but their goal is to harm, manipulate, or deceive, their honesty is tainted. It’s not just about what’s being said, it’s about why and how it’s being said.

Let’s dive a bit into the context. The quote comes from William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence,” written in the early 19th century. Blake was a poet and artist who often explored themes of innocence and experience, good and evil. He had a knack for pinpointing the complexities of human nature, and this line is a perfect example of that.

Now, think of a real-life scenario to bring this to life. Imagine you’re at work, and there’s someone who’s gunning for a promotion that you’re also eyeing. They find out that you made a small mistake in your project—a tiny error that you plan to fix. Instead of coming to you directly or letting you handle it, they go straight to your boss and highlight your mistake. They’re telling the truth, yes, but their intent? Purely to undermine you and boost their own chances.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? First, always check your motives before speaking out. Are you sharing something true because it’s genuinely helpful or necessary? Or is there a part of you that wants to see someone else falter? If it’s the latter, maybe it’s better to reconsider. Second, when you’re on the receiving end, try to discern the intent behind the truth. Is the person being helpful, or do they have a hidden agenda?

Let me tell you a story. There was a time in high school when I was part of a debate team. We were preparing for a big competition, and everyone was nervous. One of my teammates, let’s call him Jake, was struggling with his arguments. Another teammate, Sarah, pointed out every flaw in Jake’s logic during practice. She was right—Jake’s arguments had holes. But the way she did it, with a smirk and a cutting tone, everyone could tell her aim was to make him look bad rather than help him improve. Jake ended up feeling demoralized and performed poorly. The truth Sarah told had a bad intent, and it harmed the team spirit.

When you're chatting with friends or dealing with coworkers, remember this: truth is powerful, but so is intent. Use that power wisely. Think about how you want to be treated when you make mistakes or when you need constructive feedback. Would you prefer someone who’s supportive, even if they’re honest, or someone who uses the truth to tear you down? Be the kind of person who chooses the former.

In our everyday interactions, a little kindness goes a long way. Even when we have to be honest—especially when we have to be honest—let's make sure our intent is to build up, not break down.
Related tags
Deceit Deception Dishonesty Ethics Honesty Integrity Intent Manipulation Morality Truth
MORE QUOTES BY William Blake
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon