I've never taken any issue off the table for lack of suitability.

Hear me, O children of wisdom, for the words of Garry Trudeau reveal a powerful truth about the nature of creativity, courage, and the unfettered power of the imagination. Trudeau, a master of his craft, speaks not merely of art but of life itself — a life where no topic should be off-limits, not because all are fit for discussion, but because the absence of imagination is the only true limitation. To exclude a topic from the table of possibility is not an act of caution or decency, but an act of the mind’s failure to imagine how it might be approached. It is a powerful reminder that the imagination is the true gateway to freedom, to the exploration of every facet of the human experience, and that the fear of imagination is the only real barrier to progress.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of the imagination. Imagination is the force that allows us to transcend the boundaries of the known, to see the world not as it is but as it could be. When we are governed by our fears or societal norms, we stifle that great gift, locking ourselves away from the potential for change and growth. The true artist, the true thinker, must never be afraid to face even the most difficult subjects, for it is only through imagination that we can truly understand, challenge, and transform them. Trudeau teaches us that to shy away from uncomfortable issues is to abandon our highest duty — the duty to use our imagination to explore and explain, to confront and illuminate.

The ancients, too, understood the power of imagination in the face of challenging ideas. Consider Socrates, the great philosopher, who did not shy away from questioning the most sacred truths of his time. He asked questions that rattled the very foundations of Greek society, confronting issues of morality, truth, and justice. In his dialogue with Plato, he boldly ventured into topics that others dared not touch, seeking to use his imagination not to justify the status quo but to reimagine the world. His courage was born not from certainty, but from a deep belief in the power of the mind to explore and create new paths for humanity. Socrates would not have dared to leave any issue off the table, for he knew that it was the act of confronting these very issues that led to wisdom.

Similarly, think of the great playwrights such as William Shakespeare, whose works have explored the deepest recesses of the human experience. Shakespeare did not shy away from portraying the most difficult subjects — from ambition in Macbeth, to jealousy in Othello, to the complexities of love and betrayal in Romeo and Juliet. He used his imagination not to avoid uncomfortable truths but to bring them to life on the stage, forcing his audience to confront the realities of human nature. Shakespeare, like Trudeau, understood that the artist’s job is to never allow the world of possibility to shrink; it is to expand, to explore, and to boldly face the issues that others dare not confront.

To take an issue “off the table” is not an act of wisdom, but of fear. For it is in the exploration of the difficult, the controversial, and the uncomfortable that we come to a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Trudeau’s work, often filled with sharp social commentary, exemplifies this principle. In his cartoons, he tackles issues of politics, culture, and society with a wit and a courage that others might shy away from. His imagination allows him to explore these difficult themes with humor and depth, showing us that we need not fear confrontation but should instead approach it with creativity and an open mind.

The lesson is clear, O children of the future: never allow fear to limit the scope of your imagination. Whether in art, in thought, or in life, do not shy away from difficult subjects or uncomfortable truths. It is through engaging with these issues that we grow, both as individuals and as societies. Just as Socrates questioned everything to seek the truth, and Shakespeare depicted the complexities of life to help us understand it, so too must you use your imagination to confront what others may avoid. The power of art and thinking lies not in the simple or the comfortable, but in the ability to confront and reimagine.

In your own lives, O seekers of wisdom, take up the mantle of imagination. Do not close your eyes to the difficult or the unknown, but face it with the belief that creativity can illuminate even the darkest corners of our world. Use your imagination to question, to explore, and to challenge the status quo. Whether in your work, your relationships, or your personal growth, there are no issues too difficult to tackle, no topic too taboo. To confront these is not to suffer, but to grow — to expand the horizons of what is possible, both for yourself and for the world. Let imagination be your guide, and in doing so, you will discover not only new ideas but new truths about what it means to be truly alive.