Covering Quote by Saint Francis de Sales
“It is better to remain silent than to speak the truth ill-humoredly, and spoil an excellent dish by covering it with bad sauce.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Introduction to the Devout Life, 1609
Speaking harshly can ruin a good message, just as bad sauce spoils a fine dish; discretion preserves value.
In simple terms: Harsh truth can ruin a good point.
Key Takeaway
Speak kindly to protect the message.
Themes
communication
etiquette
wisdom
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
advisory
ethical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- public speaking
- written feedback
Key Concepts
discretion
tone
impact
Questions to Reflect On
- When is blunt honesty essential?
- How to balance truth and tact?
A Different Perspective
Over-cautiousness may hide necessary criticism.
![“I think everybody is covering their [posteriors] with the Enron scandal and it was very convenient that Sept. 11 came along to deflect the fact that they should never have been in the White House in the first place. What happened in the election was completely corrupt.” quote by Sandra Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db0/sandra-bernhard-3766_convenient_i-think-everybody-is-covering-their-post_72317.jpg)
