The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. Although many people believe that Samuel Johnson said "The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good," there is no concrete evidence that he ever said it or wrote it. It doesn't appear in his works or letters, nor in any of the
biographies of him from the 18th century. Nor does it appear in "The Beauties of Johnson," a collection of his sayings. Admittedly, it does appear on many Internet pages, but none of them say where it can be found. And just as many pages credit advice columnist Ann Landers for having said it. (In fact, the quotation web site Brainyquote credits it to both Landers and Johnson on separate pages, without mentioning on either page that there is any question about who said it. And they
don't have a source for it in either case. It would be nice if, on the page where they attribute it to Johnson, they noted that it's also attributed to Landers, and vice versa. As it is, people come away from each page having no idea that there is any question on the matter.) It's not a good sign that there is wide disagreement about who said something, and it's a worse sign when the quotation can't be found. Here's a hypothesis for research. Perhaps Landers was paraphrasing something
Johnson did say in one of her columns, and said she was paraphrasing Johnson; and while some readers recognized the paraphrase was not actually a Johnson quotation, others were confused. (A good candidate for what she might have paraphrased might be Johnson's "A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization", or perhaps one of his comments that it is the servants in a household who know someone best.) But there is an additional problem I've encountered... I can't even find
this quotation in print as being attributed to Ann Landers. Quotation encyclopedias I've looked at don't have it. And I can't find any of Landers' books. So please keep your eyes open, and maybe together we can answer this.
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Review
The True Measure of a Man is a book I wish I had written, which is about the best compliment I can pay to any book. It is what I would call a great read both accessible and profound in its understanding of the inner forces that make up the male psychology as a man passes through midlife into, hopefully, a productive and fulfilling second season. --Bob Buford, Founder and Chairman, Leadership Network, author of Halftime and Finishing Well
The True Measure of a Man is a book for every man of every faith or no faith at all. He ll learn why he doesn t have to live with the guilt, insecurity, and fear that most men experience but often pretend they don t. --Fred Barnes, Executive Editor, Weekly Standard, and regular contributor/commentator with FOX News Channel
Richard s book, The True Measure of a Man, provides answers to men s deepest questions and helps them understand what they are feeling as they go through the storms of life. He points us to a life of contentment that can only be found in the Lord. I believe every man should read this book. --Pat Sullivan, Heisman Trophy winner, former head football coach, Samford University
About the Author
Richard E. Simmons III received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of the South (Sewanee) in in 1976. He later studied Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State prior to beginning a 25-year career with Hilb, Rogal, and Hamilton, a property and casualty insurance firm where he was CEO for ten years. <P> Much of Simmons life has been devoted to giving back to the community by advising businessmen and professionals. Through these experiences, he discovered he had a calling for teaching and public speaking. In December 2000 Simmons founded The Center for Executive Leadership, a not-for-profit, faith-based ministry located in Birmingham, Alabama.<P>When he s not spending time with his wife and three children, you will find him teaching, counseling, writing or speaking to group across the country.
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