Proverbs 28:23

Proverbs 28:23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. When someone asks you if you like the dress they are wearing, what do you say? Do you tell them the truth or do you tell them what they want to hear? Oh, you should never be unkind to someone with a smart mouth, but you should be careful what you say and not hurt someone's feelings. I was at a hospital visiting a family years ago and the new father was admiring his new little baby. But, it was the ugliest baby that I had ever seen! He asked me, "Isn't that the most beautiful baby you have ever seen?" I thought for a moment and said, "Wow, that is some baby!" He was happy with what I had said, and I had still told the truth. We need to be truthful, but kind at the same time. But truthful has to be first. If we lie and say that that is the most beautiful baby that we have ever laid eyes upon, soon the father will realize that we lied to him. We were just flattering him about his ugly baby. And he will not appreciate our lie, even though it was well intended. Tell the truth and be kind in telling it - if you can. But always tell the truth.