Humanity appreciates truth about as much as a squirrel

Hear the sharp and sobering words of Vernon Howard: “Humanity appreciates truth about as much as a squirrel appreciates silver.” In this he unveils a painful paradox—that though truth is of infinite value, most men and women have little taste for it. Like a squirrel who finds silver useless when what it craves are acorns, humanity often despises truth because it does not serve immediate hunger, comfort, or desire. Thus the treasure of eternity lies at our feet, yet we scurry past it in search of fleeting satisfactions.

The ancients knew this weakness well. When prophets arose to proclaim justice, they were mocked or stoned. When philosophers unveiled the mysteries of the soul, they were ridiculed or ignored. Men preferred the soothing lie to the hard truth, for lies feed vanity while truth wounds pride. In the image of the squirrel and the silver, Howard captures this ancient reality: humanity has the riches of wisdom within reach, but it does not know how to value them.

Consider the story of Galileo Galilei. He placed the telescope to the heavens and declared that the earth revolved around the sun. This was silver in its purest form—a gleaming revelation of the cosmos. But the people and powers of his day were squirrels; they wanted not silver but the familiar acorns of tradition and control. They punished him, silenced him, and left the truth buried. Only later did the world awaken to the value of the treasure he had given.

History repeats the lesson in the life of Ignaz Semmelweis, the physician who discovered that handwashing could prevent deadly infections. He offered the world the shining silver of truth that could save countless lives. Yet his peers scorned him, mocked his insistence, and cast him aside. The doctors of his day, clinging to arrogance, could not appreciate the value of his discovery. Humanity behaved again as the squirrel, blind to treasure, grasping only what was familiar.

Why is this so? Because truth rarely flatters. It confronts, challenges, and demands change. Silver does not satisfy a squirrel’s hunger, just as truth does not satisfy humanity’s craving for ease and illusion. To accept it requires humility, courage, and sacrifice. Most prefer the safety of acorns—customs, habits, comforting beliefs—rather than the shining but unsettling power of truth.

The lesson, then, is clear: do not live as the squirrel. Train yourself to recognize the value of silver even if it does not feed you at once. Seek truth not for comfort but for transformation. When you encounter a teaching that unsettles you, resist the instinct to dismiss it; instead, hold it, test it, and see if it is the treasure you need. Be willing to exchange immediate ease for lasting wisdom. For while the world rushes after acorns, you will have uncovered the riches of eternity.

Therefore, let this wisdom be engraved upon your heart: most of humanity may scorn truth, but you need not. Learn to appreciate it, to treasure it, to live by it, even when it does not serve your hunger. For in time, acorns rot and vanish, but silver endures. So it is with truth—it may not comfort in the moment, but it will strengthen your spirit, illumine your path, and outlast the illusions of the age. Choose silver, though others choose acorns, and you will walk the path of the wise.