When Duke of Osuna was on a Visit to Barcelona (Spain), he went on board a convict galley ship. As he talked with each prisoner he asked why he was there. Each of them had some excuse: one was there because a judge just wanted him to be there: another found his way to the galley ship due to false witness; still another on account of enemies and so on. At last one of the prisoners said, 'my Lord, I am here justly. I wanted money. I stole it and I was caught.'


The Duke was touched by the sincerity of this prisoner, so he loudly said: 'You are too bad to be here among all these innocent men. You must leave this place at once.' And he pardoned the prisoner unconditionally. Always tell the truth, it has power to set you free.