How odd that two qualities that are admired can lead to ruin. Why is that?
What do they do in excess that makes the giver fall?

Candor is a type of honesty. Too much of that and people rebel against it. People say they like honesty, but what they don’t say is they only like so much of it. Too much can give the people a feeling of getting too close, too familiar.

Generosity is a great thing, but too much of it can make the receiver suspicious, make the community suspicious. It can give the community a feeling of getting too close, too familiar.

Contempt arises, accusations ensue and a downfall begins. Is the giver to blame? Yes, in part. He or she may not have bad motives, may not be doing ‘bad’ things. But they aren’t being discerning, they aren’t being ‘proper’ in their display of both qualities. The results certainly aren’t what they expect, but they could have been expected.

Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman

“Candor and Generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, lead to ruin.” – Tacitus, 56AD-117AD, Roman Senator and Historian