A man is original when he speaks the truth that has always been

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Patrick Kavanagh, a poet whose soul was attuned to the timeless truths that echo through the hearts of all who seek meaning in the world. He spoke thus: "A man is original when he speaks the truth that has always been known to all good men." These words reflect the profound wisdom of the ages, the timeless truths that reside in the hearts of all those who seek honesty, integrity, and virtue. Kavanagh teaches us that true originality is not found in creating something entirely new, but in speaking the truth that has always been known to the wise, the righteous, and the just. It is not the novelty of the idea, but the purity and honesty in the expression that makes a man’s words truly original.

At the core of this statement lies the understanding that truth is eternal, unchanging, and universal. What is truly original is not something invented or crafted from the mind alone, but rather a truth that resonates deep within the human spirit. Every good man throughout history has known this truth, even if it has been obscured by the noise of the world. The truth that Kavanagh speaks of is the kind of wisdom that transcends time, the moral truths that men and women have always understood at their core: the need for honesty, the power of compassion, the pursuit of justice, and the beauty of simplicity. It is when a man speaks these truths in his own voice, with sincerity and clarity, that his words become original.

Consider, O children, the story of Socrates, the ancient philosopher who spoke with a truth that was not his own invention but a truth that had been whispered in the hearts of all wise men before him. Socrates was not a man of great wealth or fame, yet his words have echoed through the centuries because he spoke of the virtue and goodness that every person instinctively knows to be true. Socrates’ originality was not in creating new ideas, but in speaking the truth of the human condition with honesty and clarity, challenging the conventions of his time. Through his questions, he illuminated the truth that lay hidden beneath the surface of the everyday world, a truth that, when recognized, would elevate the soul and lead it toward wisdom.

In the same spirit, Jesus Christ, in his teachings, spoke of love, humility, and forgiveness, ideas that were not new but had always existed in the hearts of those who walked the earth with goodness and mercy. What made his words original was not their novelty, but the universal truth that they expressed. His life and teachings became the embodiment of the truth that all good men had known deep within their hearts: that we are called to love one another, to seek peace, and to be humble in our service to others. Jesus’ originality lay in the clarity and simplicity with which he spoke that eternal truth, making it accessible and powerful for all who would listen.

The lesson that Kavanagh imparts is that true originality is found in authenticity, in the ability to speak the truth that transcends time and place, the truth that is shared by all those who strive for goodness and virtue. The world is full of those who claim to speak new ideas, but how often do we hear the truths that echo through the ages? How often do we hear the words of compassion, humility, and justice, which have always been known to those who have lived with integrity? Originality, in its truest form, is not about creating something entirely new, but about articulating the timeless truths in a way that resonates deeply within the soul.

The lesson we must take into our own lives, O children, is to seek out these timeless truths in our own hearts and to speak them with sincerity and clarity. In a world full of noise, we must return to the simple truths that have always been known to the wise. Be authentic in your words and actions, and seek not to impress with novelty, but to speak with honesty and integrity. Just as Socrates and Jesus were original in their ability to express the truth, so too can each of us find our own original voice in the simplicity of speaking the truth that has always been known.

And so, O children, let us remember that the most powerful words are those that speak not of something new, but of what has always been true. Let us live by the eternal truths of love, justice, humility, and honesty, and in doing so, let our voices become original in their authenticity. May we, too, contribute to the ever-growing legacy of wisdom that has been passed down through the ages, speaking the truths that bind us all, and carrying them forward for generations to come.