事實與真實(節譯)

One of the rarest powers possessed by man is the power to state a fact. It seems a very simple thing to tell the truth， but， beyond all question， there is nothing half so easy as lying. To comprehend a fact in its exact length， breadth， relations， and significance， and to state it in language that shall represent it with exact fidelity， are the work of a mind singularly gifted， finely balanced， and thoroughly practiced in that special department of effort.