Quote by Herman Melville
Truth is the silliest thing under the sun. Try to get a living by the Truth and go to the Soup Societies. Heavens! Let any clergyman try to preach the Truth from its very stronghold, the pulpit, and they would ride him out of his church on his own pulpit bannister.
Summary
This quote suggests that truth is not always valued or appreciated in society. The speaker implies that living by the truth may lead to struggle and hardship, as evidenced by the reference to "Soup Societies" where those in need seek assistance. Moreover, the quote criticizes the idea that even clergy members preaching the truth from the pulpit would be rejected or expelled from their own church. It highlights the notion that the truth may be unpopular or incompatible with societal norms and expectations.