Literary notes about CANDOR (AI summary)
Literary works frequently use the term candor to evoke a sense of honest, unembellished truth. The word appears in dialogues where speakers preface blunt remarks with a note of self-awareness—for instance, admitting, "You will pardon my candor," as in [1]—and in reflective passages that celebrate straightforwardness and integrity, as Rousseau hints at in [2] and [3]. In historical narratives, candor serves as a marker of unbiased judgment and clarity, a trait lauded by Gibbon in several instances ([4], [5], [6]). Meanwhile, in character-driven contexts, it underscores personal sincerity and openness, lending a raw and authentic quality to descriptions, as seen in examples like [7] and [8].
- "You will pardon my candor, but you certainly look like the devil.
— from Blacksheep! Blacksheep! by Meredith Nicholson - Having lived in the two most splendid houses in Paris, I had, notwithstanding my candor and modesty, made some acquaintance.
— from The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - He approved of my candor, and never afterwards spoke to me on the subject.
— from The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - c. 15-18, x. 4, 7, 9,) who asserts with marvellous candor the independence of the conquerors and kings of Jerusalem.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - The authentic history of his martyrdom has been recorded with unusual candor and impartiality.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - p. 423,) his adversary, Celsus, had urged his objection with great force and candor.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - “I am not at all sensitive,” said Dan, with sudden candor.
— from The Manager of the B. & A.: A Novel by Vaughan Kester - I think that would be a rather nice excuse: it would have the surprise of candor.
— from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
