Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't.

"Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't." These words by Mark Twain resonate with a profound understanding of the nature of truth and fiction. Twain draws a sharp distinction between the two realms, revealing that while fiction is bound by the laws of possibility, truth is far more fluid, wild, and unrestrained. Fiction, by its very nature, must adhere to the realms of the conceivable—it must follow the laws of the world in which it exists. Yet truth, on the other hand, is a force far beyond the boundaries of possibility, often defying reason, expectation, and even the rules of nature itself.

In the ancient world, truth was seen not as something that could always be explained or understood, but as something elusive—a force that sometimes transcended human comprehension. Heraclitus, the philosopher of change, suggested that life itself is in a state of perpetual flux, and the only constant in the universe is change. He saw truth as something far more complex than a mere set of facts to be recorded and understood. It is an ever-moving force that defies expectations, surprises us, and leads us down paths we never anticipated. This idea is deeply connected to Twain’s assertion that truth can take us to places beyond the possibilities we set in our minds, breaking free of the boundaries we impose on it.

Consider, too, the story of Julius Caesar, whose life was full of events that were stranger than fiction. The very idea that a leader of Rome would be betrayed by his closest allies, including those he trusted most, is a truth that defies the ordinary expectations of loyalty and honor. If such a tale were written as fiction, it might be dismissed as too improbable, too outlandish. Yet in the realm of truth, such twists of fate are not only possible—they are part of the fabric of history. The tale of Caesar's betrayal and death is an example of how truth, like nature, can defy our imaginations and reveal itself in ways that fiction cannot always predict or portray.

This is the power of truth—it shakes us from our sense of what is possible, and in doing so, it reveals the deeper forces at work in our lives. Twain’s words capture this brilliantly: fiction must conform to the laws of what can happen, while truth often reveals itself to us in ways that surprise, astound, and transform our understanding of the world. Truth does not obey the confines of expectation; it moves freely, unshackled by the boundaries we place upon it. In this way, truth is more powerful and more profound than any fiction we could conjure, for it is not beholden to the limits of imagination but exists beyond them.

The lesson Twain imparts is one of acceptance and humility. Truth, in its purest form, is something that cannot always be controlled or predicted. It exists in its own realm, outside the neat boxes that we try to place it in. The beauty of truth is that it is unpredictable, not confined to the realms of possibility that fiction must follow. As we go through life, we must open ourselves to this wildness of truth, embracing it when it comes, no matter how difficult or disorienting it may be. It teaches us that to live in harmony with the world, we must accept that not everything can be understood, controlled, or neatly explained.

Moreover, truth is not always the most comfortable companion. Just as fiction offers us a world of perfect resolutions, truth often presents us with messy realities, with contradictions and tensions that demand we confront the unpleasant, the unknown, and the unacceptable. Yet, it is through truth that we grow, evolve, and ultimately find wisdom. To reject truth because it does not fit neatly into our expectations is to reject growth itself. It is only by allowing truth to disrupt us, to challenge us, and to push us out of our comfort zones that we can become truly wise.

So, let us take Twain’s words to heart: embrace the uncertainty and the unexpected nature of truth. Do not be afraid of its wildness, its capacity to shatter your illusions, or its unwillingness to adhere to what you thought was possible. Truth is not always easy or comfortable, but it is the force that allows us to move beyond our limitations and see the world for what it truly is. Instead of clinging to the safety of fiction or the comfort of possibilities, let us seek truth—even when it surprises us, even when it challenges us, and especially when it reveals the profound mysteries of life that are more incredible than any fiction could ever capture.