Intense feeling too often obscures the truth.

"Intense feeling too often obscures the truth." These words from Harry S. Truman resonate with a profound and timeless understanding of the dangers of emotion when it clouds our ability to perceive the truth clearly. Truman understood that human beings, in their passion and fervor, can become blinded by their feelings, causing them to lose sight of objective reality. When emotions become overwhelming, they distort our judgment, twist our perceptions, and lead us to conclusions based not on reason or fact, but on the power of our intense emotional responses. The ancient wisdom speaks directly to this dilemma, urging us to temper our emotions with reason and discernment, for it is in this balance that the deepest truths can be revealed.

In the time of the ancient Greeks, philosophers such as Aristotle and Socrates knew well that emotion, when unchecked, could lead to destructive outcomes. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, spoke of the importance of finding a balance between extremes, what he called the Golden Mean. Passion, he acknowledged, could be a powerful force, but it could also become an obstacle to wisdom if allowed to dominate reason. Similarly, Socrates cautioned against acting on impulse or emotion without first engaging in critical thought. His famous saying, "An unexamined life is not worth living," emphasizes that only through rational self-reflection can one avoid the peril of letting feelings lead them astray.

The story of Alexander the Great offers a powerful example of how intense emotion can cloud judgment, even for one of history’s greatest conquerors. On one occasion, after a victorious campaign, Alexander was overwhelmed with anger toward a city that had resisted him. Blinded by fury, he ordered its destruction, even though the consequences would be devastating for the people who lived there. It was only after the act was done, and the fires of rage had cooled, that Alexander recognized the true cost of his emotional decision. His regret served as a profound lesson in how intense feelings—when not tempered with reason—can lead to irreversible mistakes, obscuring the truth of what is just and fair.

In the modern world, political and social conflicts are often marked by the intense emotions of those involved. Consider the turbulent period of World War II, when anger and hatred between nations obscured any attempt at diplomacy or understanding. Leaders, driven by the intense emotions of their time, failed to see the human cost of their decisions until it was too late. The devastation of war, once sparked by unchecked passions, taught the world a harsh truth: that intense feelings, when not controlled, can obscure the very values they seek to protect—peace, justice, and human dignity.

The wisdom in Truman’s quote speaks to the necessity of calm reflection in moments of great emotion. When we are in the grip of anger, fear, or desire, our ability to see the world as it truly is diminishes. Emotions, while natural, can distort our understanding of situations, leading us to react impulsively rather than respond wisely. Truman understood that a leader, or anyone faced with important decisions, must remain level-headed, carefully weighing the facts and considering the broader consequences before taking action. The truth of any situation cannot be discerned when one is swept away by the waves of emotion. It requires the ability to step back, observe dispassionately, and choose a course of action that reflects the deeper truths of fairness, justice, and humanity.

The lesson that Truman imparts to us is one of self-mastery. To truly understand the truth, we must master our emotions, not suppress them, but understand them, and not let them cloud our ability to think clearly. In moments of great emotional intensity, we must pause, reflect, and ensure that our actions are not being driven by reaction but by reason and principle. The ancient philosophers knew this well—reason, when paired with a calm heart, is the pathway to wisdom and clarity. This does not mean we should deny the richness of our emotions, but that we must find ways to let them inform our decisions without overwhelming them.

Thus, as we go through our lives, let us heed the wisdom of Truman and the ancients: when intense feelings arise, we must remember to step back, observe, and question. Let us seek the truth by allowing our emotions to guide us toward deeper understanding, not toward rash decisions. The path to wisdom is not paved with unchecked passion, but with a balance of emotion and reason, where the fire of feeling is tempered by the steady hand of thought. In this way, we can move through life not as slaves to our emotions, but as masters of the truth, choosing clarity and understanding over impulsive action.