Blake presents openness of speech as a test of character. To be ready to speak one’s mind is to avoid concealing convictions merely for approval or convenience. The quotation suggests that directness can discourage people whom Blake regards as morally weak or unwilling to tolerate honest expression.

The phrase “base man” reflects the moral language of Blake’s period and should not be treated as a precise psychological category. The broader point concerns candour and independence: someone who speaks plainly may naturally distance themselves from people who prefer flattery, concealment or conformity.

Within The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, the saying fits Blake’s wider preference for energetic, independent thought over passive acceptance. It can therefore be read as an observation about integrity and social relations, while also implying that forthright speech may shape the company a person keeps.