The Truth Series #5 The Poet

Doubt wisely; in strange way

To stand inquiring right is not to stray;

To sleep or run wrong is. On a huge hill,

Cragged and steep, Truth stands, and he that will

Reach her, about must and about must go,

And what the hill’s suddenness resists, win so.

-John Donne

Donne’s defense of the rights of conscience rests on a non-skeptical conviction that Truth exists and the human mind can attain it. It obviously won’t be easy to reach. Steep hills are always challenging. But reach Truth we must.