Monday July 30, 2007
Truth that throws some meat to the dogs is no less worth telling for doing so
Indulge me:
Truth that throws some meat to the dogs is no less worth telling for doing so.
That’s what I said here, much to everyone’s amusement. And admittedly, it’s a pretty twisted formulation, constructed under the influence of alcohol (TWI?). Be that as it may, it’s sensical, and I’m sticking by it. And so let me explain:
- “Truth” — this is a noun, the subject of the sentence. It means “A true statement . . .”
- “ . . . that throws some meat to the dogs” — in other words, making the statement satisfies a group of people that is really not worthy of being satisfied. Not an unheard of colloquial expression.
- “ . . . is no less worth telling for doing so.” — making the statement satisfies a group that is not worthy of being satisfied. However, that fact ought not to prevent its being made.
In other words: “Be honest, even if your honesty gives satisfaction to someone you don’t particularly want to give satisfaction to.” I may be convoluted, but I’m not gibberishizing.
Update: This line is to live on in infamy: it’s [slightly mis]quoted here.
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