In seeking absolute truth we aim at the unattainable and must be

"In seeking absolute truth we aim at the unattainable and must be content with broken portions." These words from William Osler, one of the fathers of modern medicine, reveal the profound tension between our endless pursuit of truth and the reality that absolute truth is often elusive, perhaps even unattainable. Osler’s statement is not a resignation to the idea of a meaningless or unknowable world, but a recognition of the inherent imperfection in human knowledge. The search for truth, while noble, will always be filled with gaps, uncertainties, and limitations—for no matter how much we strive, we cannot grasp the entirety of what is real, nor can we fully comprehend the vastness of existence.

The ancient sages understood this well. Socrates, the wise philosopher of Athens, declared that he knew nothing except that he knew nothing. This paradox, this acknowledgment of ignorance, was not a defeat but a realization that the more we seek truth, the more we recognize how much remains beyond our understanding. The pursuit of truth, like the journey to the horizon, always seems just out of reach. It beckons us forward, but the closer we get, the more we see that the landscape is infinite. In this, Socrates was teaching us the humility required in our search for understanding. Osler’s words echo this same humility, acknowledging that absolute truth will always remain just beyond our grasp, and yet, we must find peace with the broken portions we can attain along the way.

Consider the example of Isaac Newton, the great English mathematician and physicist who revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. When Newton uncovered the laws of motion and universal gravitation, he brought us closer to truth, yet even he, in his later years, remarked that he felt like a child playing on the shore, picking up pebbles while the great ocean of truth lay before him, unmeasured and unfathomable. His own pursuit of truth led to incredible advancements, yet he too had to accept that no one could capture the full scope of the universe in one lifetime. Newton, like Osler, understood that truth is a vast ocean—one that is uncontainable and filled with broken, fragmented pieces. The search is important, but the fullness of truth will always be incomplete.

The lesson from Osler’s words is one of acceptance and balance. As we journey through life, we are constantly searching for truth, whether in our personal lives, in our relationships, or in our understanding of the world. We want to know the whole truth—the full picture of reality. But just as the greatest scientists, philosophers, and spiritual seekers throughout history have found, truth is something that can never be fully attained. It is always broken, a series of fragments that we gather, fit together, and try to understand. The journey, however, is worth pursuing, for even in our imperfect grasp of truth, we grow, we learn, and we gain deeper insights into ourselves and the world around us.

The search for truth can sometimes be painful, especially when we confront the broken portions of knowledge that we can never fully piece together. Just as Plato’s Allegory of the Cave teaches us, the search for truth often forces us to leave the comfort of ignorance and face uncomfortable realities. It is not an easy path. Yet, those who seek truth with an open heart, who are willing to embrace the limitations of their own understanding, find that even the fragments of truth they gather offer profound insights. Truth can be like a puzzle, with pieces scattered and incomplete, but as we begin to place those pieces together, we see a clearer image—a glimpse of something greater.

Think of the journey of Nelson Mandela, whose fight for freedom and justice in South Africa was driven by his commitment to a truth of equality and human dignity. Mandela did not achieve his vision of a just society overnight. His path was filled with struggles, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But he was patient and steadfast in seeking that truth, even when the full realization of it seemed far off. He had to work with the broken portions of his world, accepting that progress came in pieces. Yet his truth—his belief in the freedom and equality of all people—guided him throughout his life and became the foundation for the transformation of South Africa. In this, he embodies the lesson Osler teaches: though the full truth may remain just out of reach, the pursuit of it brings growth and change.

The key takeaway from Osler’s wisdom is that in life, we must learn to embrace imperfection. In our search for truth, we may never possess the whole of it, but the fragments we gather are invaluable. Life is about seeking, questioning, and learning, even in the face of uncertainty. The truth is always exciting, not because it offers all the answers, but because it opens doors to deeper questions and further discoveries. Our journey is one of humility and acceptance, knowing that while we may never achieve the full picture, the pursuit of truth is a noble and transformative endeavor. Let us walk this path with courage and grace, understanding that even the broken portions of truth are worth our pursuit. In doing so, we become wiser, more compassionate, and more connected to the deeper realities of life.