While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!

Definitions

• encourage honesty
  Encourage someone to always tell the truth, even if it may be difficult or embarrassing, as it is the right thing to do

• warn against dishonesty
  Discourage someone from lying or being deceitful, emphasizing the negative consequences of such actions

Examples of While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!

• Tom had always struggled with telling the truth, but as he approached his retirement, he realized the importance of living a life of honesty. "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil," he reminded himself every day. By being truthful, Tom found that he earned the respect and trust of his colleagues and friends, and he no longer felt the weight of deceit on his conscience.

  This idiom, commonly known as "live every day as if it's your last," highlights the importance of living authentically and honestly. By shaming the devil, which is often interpreted as confronting evil or wrongdoing, one is also living with integrity and standing up for what is right. The phrase encourages people to prioritize their values and principles over fear or uncertainty, and to strive to make a positive impact on the world while they still can.

• When Maria's coworker lied to her about a project deadline, Maria couldn't help but think of this idiom. "While you live, tell truth and shame the devil," she muttered under her breath. Maria knew that her own honesty and integrity were too important to sacrifice for the sake of convenience, and she refused to let her colleague's actions undermine her values.

  This example illustrates the power of living by this idiom in one's personal interactions. By standing up for truth and honesty, Maria was able to maintain her own integrity and respect, and to hold her coworker accountable for her dishonesty. This example also shows how the idiom can serve as a reminder to stay true to one's values and principles, even in difficult or challenging situations.

• Jane knew that her boss had been dishonest about the company's finances, but she had been hesitant to speak out for fear of retaliation. However, remembering the age-old idiom "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!", she decided it was time to come clean. Jane called a meeting of the board of directors and presented them with evidence of her boss's wrongdoing. While it was a difficult decision, she knew it was the right thing to do, and she could sleep soundly at night knowing that justice had been served.

  The idiom "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!" is a call to action urging people to be truthful and stand up for what is right, no matter the consequences. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and being true to oneself, even in the face of adversity.

• When Tom heard that his friend had been spreading false rumors about him, he felt hurt and disillusioned. But instead of lashing out in anger, he followed the advice of the idiom, "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!" He sat down with his friend and calmly presented him with the truth. Although it was difficult to see the friend's reaction, Tom knew that he had done the right thing. He could sleep soundly at night knowing that he had not let the "Devil," in this case, the lie, triumph over his integrity.

  In this example, the idiom serves as a reminder that it's better to be truthful, even if it's uncomfortable, than to let falsehoods spread and potentially harm one's reputation. It also emphasizes the importance of confronting issues directly and compassionately, rather than letting anger fuel a reaction.

• Sarah knew that her ex-husband was still spreading lies about her, even though their divorce had been finalized years ago. She was tired of being the subject of gossip and malicious rumors. One day, while visiting her local church, Sarah remembered the idiom, "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!" She approached the priest, who was conducting mass, and asked for his advice. The priest encouraged Sarah to confront her ex-husband directly and to stand up for the truth. Sarah followed his advice and wrote her ex-husband a letter, detailing the falsehoods he had been spreading and demanding that he stop. Although it was a difficult decision, Sarah knew that it was the right thing to do.

  This example shows that the idiom applies not just to work and personal relationships, but also to one's own reputation and how they are perceived by others. It emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's own narrative, and not allowing others to define who they are.

• John was working as a freelance journalist, and his articles were often critical of the government's policies. One day, he received a warning from a high-ranking government official, who threatened to revoke his press pass if he continued to publish negative articles. John was torn. He had always valued his freedom of speech, but he didn't want to lose his livelihood. Remembering the idiom, "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!", John made a decision. He refused to be silenced and continued to publish his articles, despite the threat. Although it was a difficult decision, John knew that it was the right thing to do.

  This example shows that the idiom applies to situations where one's freedom of speech is being threatened, whether it's by the government, an employer, or someone else in a position of power. It emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, even in the face of potential consequences, and standing up for what one believes in.

• It's better to face the consequences of telling the truth now, while you live, than to bear the guilt of lying and face the Devil's judgment in the afterlife.

  This idiom emphasizes the importance of being truthful and taking responsibility for one's actions. It encourages people to prioritize honesty and moral integrity over temporary convenience or expediency, as the consequences of dishonesty can have long-lasting and far-reaching effects. Ultimately, it suggests that being truthful is a moral imperative that should be upheld at all times, and that the consequences of lying can have dire and eternal consequences.

• She didn't want to speak up because she was afraid of what others might think, but her conscience wouldn't let her live with the knowledge that she had seen something wrong and done nothing about it.

  This example illustrates the internal conflict that can arise when someone knows the truth but is hesitant to speak it. It draws a powerful contrast between the fear of social disapproval and the much more serious consequences of shirking one's moral responsibilities. Byconnecting this internal conflict with the ultimate judgement of the Devil, this idiom reinforces the importance of being true to one's self and following one's conscience, even in the face of temptation or adversity.

Conclusion

The idiom "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!" can be used to both encourage honesty and discourage dishonesty. It urges individuals to always speak the truth, even in difficult situations, and warns against the negative consequences of lying or being deceitful.

Origin of "While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the English playwright William Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 1." In Act 3, Scene 1, the character Falstaff says, "The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life. 'Zounds, I am afraid of this gunpowder Percy, though he be dead: how, if he should counterfeit too and rise? By my faith, I am afraid he would prove the better counterfeit. Therefore I'll make him sure; yea, and I'll swear I killed him. Why may not he rise as well as I? Nothing confutes me but eyes, and nobody sees me. Therefore, sirrah, with a new wound in your thigh, come you along with me. 'Tis but a scar, 'tis a mere scratch. If the worst come to the worst, I have a salve." This phrase is used in the context of a character trying to deceive others, and it is used to emphasize the importance of honesty and truthfulness. Over time, the phrase has become a popular idiom used to encourage honesty and discourage dishonesty.