“You speak the truth” - what is the meaning of this expression? As a rule, in modern speech it is used with a certain degree of irony. But has it always been like this? What is the source of this phraseology? Details about this, as well as about the close, well-established phrase "mouth of a baby speak the truth" will be described in the article.
Two uses
To understand what it means to “speak the truth,” you must first consider the meaning of the second of its constituent words.
The dictionary says that there are two forms.
- One of them is a book, which is rarely used today, it is “verb”.
- The second is “verb”. It is marked with “obsolete”, “high style”, “sometimes ironic”.
At the same time, the lexical meaning of both words is the same - to speak at all or to express something.
Spelling
Often the question arises: which spelling is correct - the truth is “verb” or “verb”? It turns out that it all depends on which of these verbs is used.
If the first option is used, then, in accordance with the II type of conjugation of verbs, you need to write:
- you say
- verb;
- a verb;
- verb;
- verb.
If the second option is present, then it is written:
- verb;
- verbs;
- verb;
- verb;
- verb.
This is because here I type conjugation.
Thus, it turns out that both options have a right to exist. But some researchers believe that the use of the word “verb” is literary, and “verb” is vernacular. However, it seems that for the ear of modern man, the second option is more familiar.
Etymology
According to linguists, the word is formed from the noun "verb". On the one hand, a “verb” refers to the part of speech that expresses an action. And on the other, in a pompous or outdated version - “speech”, “word”. It, in turn, comes from the Proto-Slavic golgol. From him, among others, originate:
- Old Slavonic - “verb”;
- Greek - ῥῆμα;
- Russian - “verb” (borrowed from Church Slavonic, instead of the original Russian “gologol”);
- Czech - hlahol - “ringing, ringing”, hlaholit - “to sound”.
Is related:
- Russian - “voice”;
- Mid-Irish - gall - “glory”;
- kimrsky - galw - “call”;
- Old Icelandic - kalla - “sing”, “call”;
- Middle High German - kelzen, kalzen - “brag”, “chat”.
"You say the truth"
Regarding this expression, the following interpretation can be found in the dictionary. When using it, they want to emphasize the correctness of the interlocutor. Often this has a slight ironic connotation. There is a stylization of the phrase to the speech of the church representative. This, as it were, gives the right to express oneself in an edifying tone.
Examples of use:
- I love this guy, as my own son, the verb of truth.
- “Sir completely agree with you,” the old man answered Peter. Then he confirmed: "You are speaking the truth."
- Jesus also spoke of neighbors who may be hostile to their relatives. He said: "Verily I say unto you, that his household are enemies of man."
The origin of the expression
Like many other commonly used phraseological units, the expression “to speak the truth” is associated with biblical events. It is found, for example, in the gospel of John Chrysostom.
There are words that Jesus Christ spoke to the Jews: “Which of you convicts me of unrighteousness? If I am a verb truth, then why do not you believe me? He who is of God listens to the words of God. You’re not from God, therefore you don’t listen to me. ” To this the Jews replied that Jesus was Samaritan and that there was a demon in him. To which the Savior said: “There is no demon in me, but I honor your Father, you dishonor me. Although I do not seek fame, so there is a Seeker and Judge. ”
Among the interpretations of these words of Jesus Christ given by John Chrysostom, there is, for example, the following. Jesus severely condemned the Jews. At the same time, he referred to the fact that, blaming him, they could not convict him of sin or untruth. Trying to blame Christ, the Jews could not give any evidence either before or after. Why did they not trust Jesus? The reason here is not in him, but in themselves. Namely, they are not children of God.
Alternative version
There is another version of the expression in question regarding the baby. Through his mouth “speaks the truth.” What is the meaning of this phrase? It is connected with the fact that children’s perception of reality is much different from that which is present in an adult.
Here the lack of logic and life experience is compensated by simplicity and sincerity. Moreover, such simplicity is that which is meant in the expression "everything ingenious is simple." Often children catch the point much faster and easier. Their world is filled with contrasts and "painted" with wide strokes. This type of perception gives children the opportunity to grasp the most important thing where an adult can be prevented by all sorts of particularities and conventions.
As for sincerity, for a small person the world around is genuine, real, without pretense, without masks, they are naive and disinterested. Even playing, they experience real feelings and emotions. They openly rejoice, worry, angry. Thus, these two terms: simplicity (quick grasp of the essence) and sincerity (inability to lie) and reveal the meaning of the phrase "the mouth speaks truth" - the child does not deceive.
Another shade of meaning is a direct, unsophisticated, thoughtless answer when a person does not think about the consequences. An example taken from the fairy tale “The New Dress of the King” written by Andersen speaks about the immediacy of the child. After all, it was the child who publicly said that the king was naked.
Also from the bible
This proverb also has biblical roots. In the Gospel of Matthew there is an episode in which Jesus Christ comes to the temple and, having caught the merchants there, drives them out of there in anger. This is described as follows.
- Jesus came to the temple of God, from where he drove out all who sold and bought, knocking over tables and changing benches selling doves.
- And he said that the temple is his house for prayer, but they turned it into a den for robbers.
- Then the lame and blind approached him, and he healed them.
- Seeing these miracles and hearing the exclamation of the children: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (joy of salvation), the scribes and high priests were displeased.
- They said to Jesus: “Do you hear what they say?” He replied: “Yes, but didn’t you read:“ From the lips of infants and babies did you praise? ”
From this line in the Gospel of Matthew a proverb was formed.