A Toast to Truth
This article is taken from the December 2021 issue of Fraternal Review titled, “Truth”.
One thing we can affirm about truth is that it is always based on faith in an idea.
I’ve always been fascinated by Socrates’ bold statement that “an unexamined life is not worth living.” He doesn’t say that an unexamined life is “less meaningful than it could be.” He clearly says that it is not worth living. Why would he make such a strong, unequivocal statement? Socrates believed the purpose of human life was to grow personally and spiritually. And he knew that man was unable to grow toward a greater understanding of his true nature if he did not take the time to examine and reflect upon his own life. He admonishes us to ask the questions of ourselves: What have we learned? How have we been taught? Who taught us? What do we know? How do we know that what we know is the truth? How do we validate our concepts of truth?
Socrates says an unexamined life takes us down a path of unconscious repetition. It is only the regularly examined life that allows us to seek out and find the truth of our own existence. Truth, then, becomes a quest that revolves around our life experience, our knowledge, our behaviors and our commitment always to be open to the change and growth which is possible within us. We are supposed to live a dynamic life. We intuitively know our perceptions of truth will be entirely different at age 15 than they are at age 30; and entirely different again at age 70, or even older. But whatever our perceptions, these are our truths.
My Brothers, I can assure you that you will never be completely fulfilled by assuming that living someone else’s perceptions and expectations will bring you wisdom. It is a radical act to stop and contemplate our own life. But the many lessons given us in all the stages of Masonry show us very clearly and very profoundly that a life of self-examination is the only game that really matters. The discoveries we make on such a quest become us. We are what we think, after all.
Unlike all other animals, we can actually ponder our moral condition. So, the drama of our life is, in the end, played out between what we know to be right and how we choose to behave. We can rise above our natural instincts; and do what is unnatural until it becomes our nature. In Masonry, this means putting our principles ahead of our self. And I think, as Masons, this is our truth. It defines who we are and distinguishes us from the rest of the community. For us, the examined life is truly the only life worth living.
So, my brothers, here’s to truth for you; and here’s to truth for me. And, with the help of God, may we mostly agree.
Written by M.W. Bro. Robert G. Davis, PGM (Oklahoma)