I

During the period where one practices being an honest person,

it’s inevitable to encounter many failures

and moments where one’s corruption is revealed.

There may be times when one’s words and thoughts do not align,

or moments of pretense and deceit.

However, regardless of what befalls you,

if you want to tell the truth and be an honest person,

you must be able to let go of your pride and vanity,

you must be able to let go of your pride and vanity.

When you do not understand something, say that you don’t understand;

when you are unclear about something, say that you are unclear.

Don’t be afraid of others looking down on you or thinking less of you.

Don’t be afraid of others looking down on you or thinking less of you.

By consistently speaking from the heart and telling the truth in this way,

you’ll find joy, peace, and a sense of freedom and liberation in your heart,

and vanity and pride will no longer constrain you.

No matter who you interact with, if you can express what you truly think,

open your heart to others,

and not pretend to know things you don’t,

then that is an honest attitude.

II

Sometimes, people may look down on you and call you foolish

because you always tell the truth.

What should you do in such a situation?

You should say, “Even if everyone calls me foolish,

I resolve to be an honest person, and not a deceitful one.

I will speak truthfully and according to the facts.

Although I’m filthy, corrupt, and worthless in the presence of God,

I will still tell the truth without pretense or disguise.”

If you speak in this way, your heart will be steady and at peace.

To be an honest person, you must let go of your vanity and pride,

and in order to speak the truth and express your true feelings,

you should not fear the ridicule and contempt of others.

Even if others treat you like a fool,

you should not argue or defend yourself.

If you can practice the truth in this way,

you can become an honest person.

from The Word, Vol. 3. The Discourses of Christ of the Last Days. Only an Honest Person Can Live Out True Human Likeness