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About this quote

What does it mean?
Dying men speak truth while the speaker claims they lived without falsehood.
In plain terms
Dying people speak truth and I say I did not lie when alive.
What can you take from it?
Truth is often spoken at death, and honesty is a lifelong value.

Where it applies

  • ethical reflection
  • dying words
  • personal integrity

Putting it to work

  • practice honesty
  • reflect on truth

Questions to consider

  • When do people speak truth?
  • How honest have you been?

Another view

Claims of personal honesty may not be verified by others.

More from Matthew Arnold

  1. How thick the bursts come crowding through the leaves! Again - thou hearest? Eternal passion! Eternal pain!

    Permalink to quote #21
  2. I am past thirty, and three parts iced over.

    Permalink to quote #23
  3. Her cabin'd, ample Spirit, It flutter'd and fail'd for breath. To-night it doth inherit The vasty Hall of Death.

    Permalink to quote #20

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