You may tell a man thou art a fiend, but not your nose wants blowing; to him alone who can bear a thing of that kind, you may tell all.

To be candid, in Middlemarch phraseology, meant, to use an early opportunity of letting your friends know that you did not take a cheerful view of their capacity, their conduct, or their position; and a robust candor never waited to be asked for its opinion.

Examine what is said, not him who speaks.

We want all our friends to tell us our bad qualities; it is only the particular ass that does so whom we can't tolerate.

Always be ready to speak your mind, and a base man will avoid you.

If all hearts were open and all desires known -- as they would be if people showed their souls -- how many gapings, sighings, clenched fists, knotted brows, broad grins, and red eyes should we see in the market-place!

There is an unseemly exposure of the mind, as well as of the body.

''Frank and explicit'' -- that is the right line to take when you wish to conceal your own mind and to confuse the minds of others.

A ''No'' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a ''Yes'' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.

Candor is the brightest gem of criticism.