Tuesday, October 15, 2024

In praise of sincerity - Montesquieu


In this little book, as the title suggests, Montesquieu praises sincerity as a virtue. This is done at two different levels.
In private life sincerity is advised as opposed to indulgence. A real and useful friendship should always be based on absolute honesty, even when this leads to conflicts with personal pride, or especially when that happens.
In public affairs the leading figures should always be surrounded by honest advisors, rather than cynical adulators. This will not only benefit the leaders themselves but the organizations over which they preside as a whole. A beautiful example offered by the author is that of a group of mandarins that were tortured to death for being bold enough to tell the Chinese emperor the painful truth.
An old book carrying a message that is still extremely valuable today, at both the aforementioned levels.

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