Truth

The current divisive tone of the presidential campaign – the faceless shouts of racism, hate, and death – is like a vile spreading social disease that could cripple our country faster and with more devastating effect than any terrorism attack.

So, this Sunday afternoon, I have been randomly reading famous quotes about Truth. Because truth or lack of it is what the campaign has become all about.

I found this quote from the early 20th century philosopher Theodor Wiesengrund Adorno that seems timely:

Let us talk sense to the American people. Let us tell them the truth, that there are not gains without pains.

Aesop said, centuries ago:

Don’t let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth — don’t let that get swallowed up by the great chewing complacency.

Henri-Frederic Amiel said:

A lively, disinterested, persistent looking for truth is extraordinarily rare. Action and faith enslave thought, both of them in order not to be troubled or inconvenienced by reflection, criticism or doubt.

Baha’u'llah, Prophet and Founder of the Baha’i Faith, said:

Fair speech and truthfulness, by reason of their lofty rank and position, are regarded as a sun shining above the horizon of knowledge.