Exaggeration is a blood relation to falsehood and nearly as blamable

Exaggeration is a blood relation to falsehood and nearly as blamable

Hosea Ballou, a prominent figure in the Universalist movement in the 19th century, was known for his emphasis on the importance of truth and honesty in all aspects of life. He believed that exaggeration was a dangerous habit that could lead to falsehood and deception, and therefore should be avoided at all costs.

In his teachings, Ballou often spoke about the dangers of exaggeration and how it could lead to the distortion of reality. He believed that exaggeration was a form of dishonesty, as it involved stretching the truth or embellishing facts in order to make a point or impress others. By doing so, one was not being true to themselves or to others, and was ultimately engaging in a form of deception.

Ballou saw exaggeration as a slippery slope that could easily lead to outright falsehood. He believed that once someone started down the path of exaggeration, it became easier and easier to stray further from the truth and eventually end up in a web of lies. This, he argued, was not only harmful to the individual engaging in the exaggeration, but also to those around them who may be misled or deceived by their words.

For Ballou, honesty and integrity were paramount virtues that should be upheld at all times. He believed that by being truthful and straightforward in all of one's dealings, one could build trust and credibility with others, and ultimately lead a more fulfilling and authentic life. Exaggeration, on the other hand, only served to undermine these values and erode the foundation of trust upon which relationships are built.