Qushta (ܩܘܫܬܐ)
These are the words I taught concerning Honesty, for Honesty is the clear stream in which Truth is seen. Without it, love is false, wisdom is crooked, and respect is shallow. But with Honesty, all things stand firm.
Let your words be plain, your dealings transparent, your heart without deceit. For the Breath of Truth cannot dwell where lies are made a refuge.
“Teacher, what is Honesty? Is it to speak every thought without measure?”
Honesty is not every thought upon the tongue, for a fool speaks much yet says little. Honesty is not the weapon that cuts without care, for cruelty is no kin to Truth.
Honesty is the clear face of the soul, the voice without guile, the hand without hidden blade. Honesty is speaking what is true in season, holding silence when words would wound, and showing your heart without masks.
Honesty is not cunning, though it may be wise. It is not flattery, though it may be kind. It is not the bending of truth to gain advantage, but the straight path that does not turn aside.
There once was a merchant who weighed his scales falsely. His profit grew, and he thought himself clever. But in time, the people saw the trick, and they turned away. His scales were full, but his stall was empty.
Another merchant weighed with fairness, and though his purse grew slowly, the people trusted him. His scales were honest, and his house endured.
So it is with Honesty: deceit is a quick gain that empties the soul; Honesty is a steady gain that endures.
Why live with Honesty? Because without it, no bond can stand. The liar gains in the moment but loses in the end. The deceiver wins a prize but loses trust.
Why Honesty? Because the Holy One is Truth, and to live in lies is to turn from the Breath that gives life.
Honesty binds neighbors in peace, joins families in trust, and builds nations in harmony. Without it, contracts fail, friendships crumble, and communities rot.
There once was a wall built of stones. Some stones were whole, some were cracked, but the builder covered the cracks with plaster. At first it stood tall, but when the rains came, the wall collapsed, and the plaster washed away.
Another builder chose whole stones, setting them true. His wall took longer, but it stood against storm and time.
So it is with Honesty: it may take longer, it may cost more, but what is built upon it will stand.
“Teacher, how shall we live in Honesty?”
Speak plainly, without deceit. Let your “yes” mean yes, and your “no” mean no. Do not twist your words to trap another, nor cloak your meaning in falsehood.
Deal fairly in trade, in work, in promise. Do not take by trick what you would not take by hand. Let your scales be just, your measures true, your contracts clear.
In your heart, be honest with yourself. Do not hide your wounds behind pride, nor cloak your fears in anger. For what is hidden grows in darkness, but what is confessed is healed in light.
There once was a man who painted his roof bright to hide the rot beneath. From the road it shone, but in the storm it leaked. Another mended the beams though no one saw, and his house endured.
So it is with Honesty: the hidden lie will betray you, but the quiet truth will keep you.
When shall you be Honest? At all times, in all dealings. But most of all when it is hardest: when gain tempts, when fear presses, when power commands you to lie.
Be Honest in small things, for he who is false in little will be false in much. Be Honest in secret, for what is whispered in the dark will be shouted in the light.
Be Honest even with your enemy, for deceit will bind you as surely as chains. Be Honest with yourself, for to live in self-deception is to live in blindness.
There once was a traveler who lost his way in the forest. He met a guide who said, “Follow me, for I know the path.” But the guide lied, seeking to rob him. They both wandered and fell into a pit.
Another guide said, “I do not know every turn, but I know the river leads out.” Together they followed, and they came to safety.
So it is with Honesty: better to confess what you do not know, than to claim knowledge falsely and lead astray.
Be Honest in heart, in word, in deed. For Honesty is the clear stream in which Truth is seen. Drink from it, and you will live.
This is what Honesty is: the face without guile.
This is why Honesty matters: it binds trust and guards the Way.
This is how Honesty is practiced: in word, in trade, in confession.
This is when Honesty is lived: always, and especially when it costs you.
Walk in Honesty, and you will walk in Truth.
