Truth is one of the central subjects in philosophy. It is also one of the largest. Truth has been a topic of discussion in its own right for thousands of years. Moreover, a huge variety of issues in philosophy relate to truth, either by relying on theses (plural of thesis) about truth, or implying theses about truth.
The subject of truth has been given much ink in recent days, particularly when applied to politics and politicians. I have also written several articles on the subject myself and admit to preoccupation with researching the question: How do you tell truth from fiction?
My study at one point, albeit rather superficial, led to Colombo's Concise Canadian Quotations assembled by old friend John Robert Colombo. Known as the "Master Gatherer", Kitchener native Colombo dedicated his book to George P. Grant who will go down in the history of Canadian journalism for declaring "We listen to others to discover what we ourselves believe."
Like Colombo, I have made a practice of collecting quotes that cut through the b.s. and noise surrounding life. They're like swords that cut the knots of rhetorical controversy and reveal the essence of existence we know deep down but tend to overlook. In particular, I enjoy quotations with a hint of subtle humor that allow me to make light of certain current bothersome issues plaguing society in general. Then there are "keeper" utterances that are so convoluted that they boggle the mind and leave you wondering "What did he say?"
Here are a few lesser-known quotes by Canadians over the years that have stuck in my memory since I began collecting them as early as 1970 (a quote requires at least 50 years of maturity to qualify for my collection):
Flattery is an agreeable truth.
Sir John A. MacDonald attributed by John Diefenbaker in the House of Commons, Feb. 5, 1971.
Error held in truth has much the effect of truth.
George Iles, science writer, in Canadian Stories (1918).
It is a hard thing to speak the truth. It is difficult to make hidden forces appear.
Horqarno, Eskimo shaman, observation quoted by Knud Rasmusen in Intellectual Culture of the Copper Eskimos (1932).
And of course it may be that all I have been telling you is wrong. For you cannot be certain about a thing you cannot see. And people say so much!
Nuliajuk, Eskimo remark made ironically, quoted by Knud Rasmussen in The Netslik Eskimos (1931).
There is nothing too amazing to be true.
Allan Spraggett, "Canada's foremost authority on ESP," last sentence of The Unexplained (1968).
Truth: Lies lie.
Nicholas Catanov, Romanian-born literary figure, from "The Second Truth," Hic et Nime (1968).
When truth in science seems to teach us that we are accidental inhabitants of a negligible planet in the endless spaces, men are forced to seek meaning in other ways than through the intellect. If truth leads to meaninglessness, then men in their thirst for meaning trn to art. To hope to find in the products of the imagination that meaning which has been cast out of the intellect may, in the light of Socrates, be known to be a fruitless quest. Nevertheless, it is a thirst which is the enemy of tyrany. (...Phew!)
George P. Grant, leading spokesman for conservatism, in "The University Curriculum," Technology and Empire (1969).
I'm constantly reminded of what my grandfather told me: the moon shines just as much as a handful of water on a lake. We may find truth under a pebble. Truth is probably very small.
Raymond Moriyama, Vancouver-born Toronto architect, quoted by Marjorie Harris in Maclean's, March 1970.
Every dogma has its day.
Abraham Rotstein, infuencial political economist, in Dec. 1974.
It's all right to tell the truth and shame the devil.
Margaret "Ma" Murray, pioneer newspaperwoman and suffragette, on CBCTV, June 3, 1975.
Truth I have no trouble with, it's the facts I get all screwed up.
Farley Mowat, author and environmentalists, on CFRB Radio, Toronto, Dec. 14, 1975.
Conclusion friends? The truth can be extremely perplexing and evasive, even when an attempt is made to explain it.
Dare I suggest: Truth can be stranger than fiction -- and often a lot funnier!
After all said and done, however, truth for me is simply something that has been proven by facts or sincerity of purpose.
In all honesty, truth can hurt!
...It can also set you free!
Like Colombo, I have made a practice of collecting quotes that cut through the b.s. and noise surrounding life. They're like swords that cut the knots of rhetorical controversy and reveal the essence of existence we know deep down but tend to overlook. In particular, I enjoy quotations with a hint of subtle humor that allow me to make light of certain current bothersome issues plaguing society in general. Then there are "keeper" utterances that are so convoluted that they boggle the mind and leave you wondering "What did he say?"
Here are a few lesser-known quotes by Canadians over the years that have stuck in my memory since I began collecting them as early as 1970 (a quote requires at least 50 years of maturity to qualify for my collection):
Flattery is an agreeable truth.
Sir John A. MacDonald attributed by John Diefenbaker in the House of Commons, Feb. 5, 1971.
Error held in truth has much the effect of truth.
George Iles, science writer, in Canadian Stories (1918).
It is a hard thing to speak the truth. It is difficult to make hidden forces appear.
Horqarno, Eskimo shaman, observation quoted by Knud Rasmusen in Intellectual Culture of the Copper Eskimos (1932).
And of course it may be that all I have been telling you is wrong. For you cannot be certain about a thing you cannot see. And people say so much!
Nuliajuk, Eskimo remark made ironically, quoted by Knud Rasmussen in The Netslik Eskimos (1931).
There is nothing too amazing to be true.
Allan Spraggett, "Canada's foremost authority on ESP," last sentence of The Unexplained (1968).
Truth: Lies lie.
Nicholas Catanov, Romanian-born literary figure, from "The Second Truth," Hic et Nime (1968).
When truth in science seems to teach us that we are accidental inhabitants of a negligible planet in the endless spaces, men are forced to seek meaning in other ways than through the intellect. If truth leads to meaninglessness, then men in their thirst for meaning trn to art. To hope to find in the products of the imagination that meaning which has been cast out of the intellect may, in the light of Socrates, be known to be a fruitless quest. Nevertheless, it is a thirst which is the enemy of tyrany. (...Phew!)
George P. Grant, leading spokesman for conservatism, in "The University Curriculum," Technology and Empire (1969).
I'm constantly reminded of what my grandfather told me: the moon shines just as much as a handful of water on a lake. We may find truth under a pebble. Truth is probably very small.
Raymond Moriyama, Vancouver-born Toronto architect, quoted by Marjorie Harris in Maclean's, March 1970.
Every dogma has its day.
Abraham Rotstein, infuencial political economist, in Dec. 1974.
It's all right to tell the truth and shame the devil.
Margaret "Ma" Murray, pioneer newspaperwoman and suffragette, on CBCTV, June 3, 1975.
Truth I have no trouble with, it's the facts I get all screwed up.
Farley Mowat, author and environmentalists, on CFRB Radio, Toronto, Dec. 14, 1975.
Conclusion friends? The truth can be extremely perplexing and evasive, even when an attempt is made to explain it.
Dare I suggest: Truth can be stranger than fiction -- and often a lot funnier!
After all said and done, however, truth for me is simply something that has been proven by facts or sincerity of purpose.
In all honesty, truth can hurt!
...It can also set you free!
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