(Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) 

“We know truth, not only by reason, but also by the heart.”

(Blaise Pascal, 1623 – 1662) 

Truth – a virtue oftentimes, under-rated, neglected even, but which, on closer inspection, is deserved of a much higher priority.   When all is said and done, what value does life hold if it cannot be based on truth?   Only the other day I was chatting to an old friend, long admired and respected, and I suppose it was this which gave rise to the subject of this ‘blog’.   He said that among the things he most regretted in his life as a child, was to have told lies to his father, out of fear of a good telling off, (or worse).  He had been playing football and had broken a window – not deliberately, but recklessly, I suppose, kicking a ball about with windows in the vicinity.  When asked about the damage, he said: “Not me.”  At any rate, he was found out in his deceit, and was chastised, but, this was not the end of the matter.   My friend said that his greatest cause for sorrow arose, not out of discovery, or punishment, but because, for a time, he had then lost his father’s friendship – something of great value to him – but, something which could not be bought, sold or easily regained! 

“If you begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves,

and truth in your mind, you not only benefit by their presence

but also bring them to others, to your family and friends,

and to all those whose destiny draws across your path that day.”

(Source Uknown) 

If we really think about such things, and give them their proper meanings, then TRUTH, essentially, lies at the very heart of all important human relationships, for without it there can be no trust, no honour, no loyalty, and, therefore, no respect, no friendship, no love.   From time to time, I suppose, we have all resorted to what we call ‘little white lies’ to save some relative or friend, or ourselves, from having to face, or tell, the truth – something akin to moral cowardice.   But, should truth come to the surface, as it usually does, then things are always so much worse than had the truth been faced in the first place.  There are much more serious casualties in a life of deceit, however.   Once a person is known to have deceived another, then it becomes very difficult to trust him or her, again – a feeling which multiplies – more lies, more deceit, more distrust – and this can often result in the destruction of a valued friendship, the relationship between a parent and child, or, indeed, a marriage of long standing.   At work, and in business, trust is essential. 

Jesus knew full well the value of such things for did He not say to us, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, and should not this make me think that, not only is truth important in human relationships, it must also form the basis of our relationship with Our Lord and God?  

“Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life” 

How can we tell God, our Father, that we are sorry for our sins, unless we are telling the truth?   How can we say we will not sin again, with a false heart, and expect forgiveness?   And how can we say to God that we love him, and hope to deceive Him?  But, perhaps, coming down to earth again, we should leave the final word on this subject to Shakespeare, who undoubtedly knew human nature, to the core, and the intrinsic value of such things.   In, perhaps, his most famous play,  ”Hamlet”, Polonius, the Lord Chancellor, gives some most meaningful words of  advice to his son, Laertes, – advice on conduct, friends, mode of dress, lending and borrowing – but then he goes on to finish with the following: 

(William Shakespeare – ‘Hamlet’, Act 1, Sc. 3) 

Surely, such words go right to the heart of mankind’s integrity – the foundation stone of all relationships between men and women, of whatever race, colour or creed – they also signpost the way to mankind’s relationship with God, its Creator.