Whoever invented the saying had obviously NEVER had anything truthful to say. Perhaps, we could even call them a liar . . . .

The truth has always been so much more problematic than that. Throughout history, the truth has been responsible for murder, torture, pain, burden, and an entire slew of lies. Truth has made some delusional and others self-righteous. In fact, the truth has been behind so many things – both bad and good – that it is almost an entirely problematic concept.

One thing for sure is that the Truth rarely sets you free.

In Plato’s “Cave Analogy,” the truth was quietly reflected and distorted onto a wall in front of us. We were chained to the opposite wall, and could only see the distortion, and that is what we had grown to know as reality.

One of us freed himself or herself from the chains that enslaved the rest of us to our ideals, and escaped from the cave. That person saw the Truth–and was immediately aware of the distortion that the rest of us believed.

When he or she came back inside to tell us about the Truth, we thought they had become a lunatic. In modern times, I am sure we would have them locked up or thrown in jail. In olden times, perhaps we would have stoned them to death. Regardless of the time, our reaction is the same. The person who holds the truth is a threat . . . that we must eliminate.

Perhaps Plato meant the opposite of his example. The people chained to the wall were happy, and yet the person with the truth was labeled as a threat. Perhaps he meant that the Truth may get you free, but will certainly enslave you for as long as you keep it.

I, of course, have my own opinions about the Truth. It is the very thing that gives the sense of entitlement to those standing on their own soap boxes. It is also the very thing that gives the sense of entitlement to those who pull them down. The truth is sought-after, hidden, denied, ignored, cherished, and seems to be somewhat involved with just about everything that we do.

If you are hiding from the Truth, fabricating, or denying it, you are not alone. Everyone has been in your position at some time or another. Some people make hiding from it a way of life, and others have just been thrust into some bad situation and forced to make a choice.

If, however, you find yourself holding the Truth, or a truth, or some truth, keep it close, hold it aloft, hide it, or share it with the world. In fact, you can do anything you want with it. Just don’t expect it to set you free . . . .