You may thank God you didn’t want to be an actor, Tom…
““You may thank God you didn’t want to be an actor, Tom, because you would have been a very bad one. You worked it out at Thanksgiving, I guess, when you were all together. And it’s working smooth as butter. I see Will’s hand in this. Don’t tell me if you don’t want to.” “I wasn’t in favor of it,” said Tom. “It doesn’t sound like you,” his father said. “You’d be for scattering the truth out in the sun for me to see. Don’t tell the others I know.” He turned away and then came back and put his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Thank you for wanting to honor me with the truth, my son. It’s not clever but it’s more permanent.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Honoring truth, even when uncomfortable, builds lasting integrity; superficial smoothness lacks permanence.
In simple terms: Truthful actions endure more than easy lies.
Key Takeaway
Choose honesty over easy deception.
Themes
truth
integrity
family
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family discussions
- conflict resolution
- leadership
Key Concepts
ethics
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice honest communication?
- What are the costs of avoiding truth?
A Different Perspective
Truth may cause immediate discomfort.