God help us from those who believe that they are the sole

"God help us from those who believe that they are the sole possessors of truth. How we manage at times to agree willingly to become prisoners within our own minds and souls of beliefs and ideas on which we can never be flexible." These words, spoken by Hussein of Jordan, carry within them a deep and resonant warning against the rigidity of the human spirit—the peril of self-righteousness and the danger of clinging to the belief that we alone possess the truth. Hussein speaks of the grave consequences of holding onto beliefs so tightly that they imprison us, leaving no room for growth, understanding, or the possibility of other perspectives. In his words, we find a plea for humility, for the willingness to question and to embrace the fluidity of truth, knowing that our own grasp of it is limited and always evolving.

The ancient world was no stranger to this struggle. The Greek philosophers, in their pursuit of wisdom, often warned against the dangers of dogmatism and the belief that one's own understanding of the world was absolute. Socrates, with his Socratic method, tirelessly questioned those who claimed to have the truth. He knew that the path to true understanding was not found in the stubborn adherence to one's own beliefs but in the willingness to challenge assumptions and to be open to new ideas. To Socrates, the highest form of wisdom was acknowledging that we do not possess the absolute truth, but that we are always learning, always questioning. This humility in the face of truth was the key to wisdom, and it is what allowed Socrates to live freely, unencumbered by the prison of unexamined beliefs.

In the Roman world, Cicero too, the great orator and philosopher, understood the danger of unyielding convictions. In his works, he often spoke of the importance of balance and moderation, particularly in matters of morality and justice. To cling too tightly to a singular idea or belief, Cicero argued, was to shut oneself off from the wisdom of the wider world. He saw that the greatest thinkers were those who could entertain different perspectives without losing their commitment to truth. He understood that truth was not a possession but a pursuit, and that in the process of pursuing it, we must always be open to the possibility that our understanding may be imperfect and that we must be willing to change when presented with new insights.

Hussein’s words remind us of a universal truth: that dogmatism and the absolute belief that one holds the ultimate truth can become a prison. This is particularly evident in the political and religious struggles that have shaped the course of human history. Religious wars, for example, often arise from the belief that one's own faith holds the only truth, and those who follow a different path are wrong or even heretical. The Crusades, fought in the name of religion, are a tragic example of how rigid beliefs, held with unwavering certainty, can lead to untold suffering. Each side believed they were the sole possessors of truth, leading to countless lives lost and countless minds closed to the possibility of peace or understanding.

A more recent example can be found in the Cold War, a period of intense ideological conflict between the West and the East. The leaders of both sides, each believing that their way of life—capitalism or communism—represented the absolute truth, were unwilling to compromise, and as a result, the world stood on the brink of nuclear disaster. In this global conflict, both sides were prisoners to their own beliefs, unwilling to see the validity of the other’s perspective. The inflexibility of both sides led to immense tension, suffering, and fear, showing how dangerous it is when nations or individuals become convinced that they hold the only truth, refusing to bend or adapt.

Hussein’s plea calls upon us to cultivate the virtue of flexibility—to recognize that truth is not something we own, but something we seek. The lesson here is one of humility, openness, and growth. Truth is a journey, not a destination, and the more we cling to the idea that we possess it entirely, the more we trap ourselves in a prison of our own making. Growth comes from being open to new ideas, to questioning our assumptions, and to recognizing that the world is far more complex than we often allow. It is through dialogue, reflection, and the willingness to be changed by others that we approach a fuller understanding of the truth.

In practical terms, we must challenge ourselves to listen deeply to others, to entertain ideas that may seem foreign or uncomfortable, and to recognize that we are not infallible in our beliefs. We must embrace humility in our convictions and understand that growth requires change. Whether in our personal lives, our relationships, or our communities, we must foster an environment where flexibility is celebrated, where the pursuit of truth is not about being right, but about being open to learning and growing. Only then can we break free from the prison of rigid beliefs and step into the freedom of a life guided by honesty, wisdom, and understanding.

Let us take Hussein's wisdom to heart and strive to live without the chains of dogma. Let us be brave enough to question, to seek, and to grow, knowing that the path to true understanding is one of humility and openness. When we free ourselves from the prison of rigid beliefs, we allow the truth to flow more freely, guiding us to a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us.