Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV — Page 173
Footnote Number Eleven 173 have nothing to do with sublime truths—in an elegant and eloquent composition, with strict regard to truthfulness and veracity, it would not be possible for him. This is very obvious to any wise person. For example, take the case of a storekeeper who possesses great mastery of language both in poetry and prose and wishes to maintain in his con- verse—which he has to make with all types of customers and clients— the highest standards of eloquence and figurative language, adapting his conversation with due regard to each occasion and situation, being brief when brevity is appropriate, and speaking in detail when argu- mentation is required; and if a dispute arises between him and a cus- tomer, adopting a way of speech that directs the argument towards his own benefit. Take next the case of a judge whose duty is to write most accurately the statements of both parties and witnesses and then to duly analyse and criticize each statement—limiting himself to what is really needed—with reference to the point at issue, as required for the exam- ination of the case and appropriate for the investigation of the matters under dispute. It is expected that he should raise appropriate questions and duly record the answers and state the relevant facts. He should, as needed, cite applicable legal provision in accordance with the intent of the law. He should systematically expound the events, where needed, in their proper sequence and accuracy and then give his verdict along with supporting arguments with the utmost precision. With all this, his writings should be at such a high degree of lucidity and elegance that they are unsurpassable by any other man. Obviously, such elegance is not achievable in the above cases. This is the state of human eloquence; they cannot even take the first step without all sorts of vain, unnecessary, and trivial words and cannot even say a word without restoring to lies and useless talk. Even when they say something, it is incomplete; if the nose is present, as it were, the ears are not and if the ears are there the eyes are gone. Strict adherence to facts impairs the elegance of expression, and concern for elegance of expression may result in piles of falsehood and irrele- vance—like an onion, layer after layer of shell, but nothing inside.