Let’s find out the meaning of “Live truth instead of professing it” quote by American writer, anarchist and libertarian socialist philosopher Elbert Hubbard.
“Live Truth Instead Of Professing It.” – Elbert Hubbard
(A Thousand & One Epigrams: Selected From The Writings Of Elbert Hubbard, New York: The Roycrofters, 1911, P. 86) source
(The quote is also found here.)
Live Truth Instead Of Professing It Meaning
First, let’s check the meaning of the word “profession“.
According to Cambridge Dictionary, it means to state something, sometimes in a way that is not sincere.
You can also say to profess means to declare, to proclaim or avow, often insincerely.
This quote by Elbert Hubbard means one should just live life as who you are, without having to tell others.
In short, just be true to yourself.
You don’t have to tell the world how you live your life.
Let your action speaks for itself.
For instance, you don’t need to go around telling people that you are a God-fearing or a free-spirited person.
This quotation by Elbert Hubbard has nothing to do with the issue of whether people are judging one’s words or actions.
Normally, people will judge you more of your actions or behaviors, rather than what you say.
It is human nature, the first moment you meet someone, they will consciously or unconsciously judge you.
Another thing is people will judge you by your actions not your intentions.
There is this popular saying: Actions speak louder than words.
It means a person’s actions are more impactful than just their words alone.
Instead of you just talking about doing something, it’s more meaningful if you actually does something.
Then there is this nagging question:
Can you judge someone just by their actions?
As you know, people do put on an act. Some of their actions are to impress, while others are meant to hide from disapproving eyes.
Both our words and actions can be equally deceiving.
There are many different opinions and views on this topic.
In life there are many so-called gray areas.
In fact in there are many different shades of gray.
At times, there are no best answers or perfect choices.
The only thing that’s certain is that there’s no right path, or no absolute Truth.
By the way, here are four of my favorite Elbert Hubbard quotations:
“If you err it is not for me to punish you. We are punished by our sins not for them.” – Elbert Hubbard
(The Note Book Of Elbert Hubbard: Mottoes, Epigrams, Short Essays, Passages, Orphic Sayings And Preachments, New York: The H.M. Wise & Co/Roycrofters, 1927, P. 12) source
(The quote is also found here.)
“To know the great men dead is compensation fro having to live with the mediocre.” – Elbert Hubbard
(The Note Book Of Elbert Hubbard: Mottoes, Epigrams, Short Essays, Passages, Orphic Sayings And Preachments, New York: The H.M. Wise & Co/Roycrofters, 1927, P. 18) source
(The quote is also found here.)
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” – Elbert Hubbard
(The Note Book Of Elbert Hubbard: Mottoes, Epigrams, Short Essays, Passages, Orphic Sayings And Preachments, New York: The H.M. Wise & Co/Roycrofters, 1927, P. 128) source
(The quote is also found here.)
“Our admiration is so given to dead martyrs that we have little time for living heroes.” – Elbert Hubbard
(The Note Book Of Elbert Hubbard: Mottoes, Epigrams, Short Essays, Passages, Orphic Sayings And Preachments, New York: The H.M. Wise & Co/Roycrofters, 1927, P. 12) source
(The quote is also found here.)
American writer, publisher, and philosopher Elbert Hubbard was a prolific writer.
You can read his free books: “Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great” and the famous essay “A Message to Garcia” together with two other pieces of writings.