ESL Blogs

* H O N E S T Y *

Once, I found a startfruit seller tried to deceive my elder sister by reducing the weights. But, I made her fail in doing that. I smiled knowing it and said, "Ma'am, it is still a half kilogram to reach 5 kg." -This was kind of dishonest way to earn money which make others be in loss-

A few weeks ago, I bought two packs of pen and a boardmarker. After counting the charge myself, I knew I should pay IDR 44k and I gave old man a sheet of IDR 100k. What a surprise! He gave me IDR 74k as the change. I asked him the price of each item once again, I was right. Three times, he gave me the incorrect amount of change and I returned all to him. "Sir, it is still too much." He counted again with an old stuff, calculator, and he finally got it. -I just wonder what if he dealt with dishonest people? He would be in loss.-

Long ago, when I was a student. I dropped my wallet somewhere (I wrote this story in another blog) which contained almost a million rupiahs and all my important cards. I was so confused and a bit depressed as it was an organization's cash. But, I still remember I always faced the day with smile even laughs, a cheerful face. :) Kept calm and praying. Two days later, a parker of campus who was very old announced that he found a wallet. I was asked about the contents. I can't forget that amazing moment. He returned my wallet with the complete contents, without taking any of it. -I felt so great to see that man with great honesty-

An honest person says what they should say and does what they should do.

* S I N C E R I T Y *

Remembering bet's discussion about hospitality, I'd like to tell one real story. Let's name two people Xoxo and Xaxa. Xoxo was a very hospitable person who would always gave all dishes available whenever a guest or guests visit her home. One day, Xoxo and family visited Xaxa's house for a wedding party, but Xoxo came before the exact time (invitation schedule). The committee and Xaxa were really busy and they didn't take a great concern to Xoxo's family as there were too many guests. However, they got normal servings. On the way home, Xoxo and family grumbled, "I felt disappointed. they only served and welcomed us so simply, so lightly. How could Xaxa do that? We gave them anything we had when she was a guest in our home" -Mentioning own's good deeds and expecting something in return is called insincerity-

The last story I would share is about someone who helped others. Let's name him Dada. He was an honest trader that it made him be liked by many loyal customers in his village. He also liked helping and giving charity to the ones who need. There was a poor blind old man who had no family anymore, let's name it Dudu. As neighbor, Dada routinely gave him food everyday. He visited Dudu himself, fed him, and treated him like his own father. However, Dudu always backbited Dada in front of Dada because Dudu didn't know at all that it was Dada who had been helping him all time. Dada knew that Dudu didn't like him at all. So Dada always had a companion who would talk with Dudu while he was feeding Dudu. Dudu always said, "DON'T GET CLOSE WITH DADA! I tell you, HE HAD DONE TERRIBLE THING that made people like him. STAY AWAY FROM HIM!". Despite the hatred of Dudu, Dada kept helping Dudu sincerely, as Dudu was one who needs Dada's help. -Giving a favor without expecting something in return, even getting mockery and still doing good deeds, this person has reached the highest level of sincerity-

If your heart gets the call to do kindness, then never doubt.

***

Honesty and sincerity are taught as civic lesson to 2nd graders in my country. However, practicing them is somehow not easy for most people. I hope you got the different meaning of both words. This was actually a blog requested by ELF Noor and Luci a few months ago. :)

I'd also like to share some quotes related to honesty and sincerity.

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” — Albert Einstein

“Honesty is something you can’t wear out.” — Waylon Jennings

“Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice.” — Ben Franklin

“Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.” — Charles Spurgeon

“Sincerity may be humble but she cannot be servile.” — Lord Byron

“Be sincere with your compliments. Most people can tell the difference between sugar and saccharine.” — E. C. McKenzie

“Sincerity is not to say everything you think but to mean everything you say.” — unknown

“Sincerity is an openness of heart; we find it in very few people; what we usually see is only an artful dissimulation to win the confidence of others.” — La Rochefoucauld

Thank you so much for being patient reading my long blog. Please let me know your idea.

Have a super beautiful new week! ^_^