Now the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of things

"Now the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of things people don't understand. Take the Einstein theory. Take taxes. Take love. Do you understand them? Neither do I. But they exist. They happen." These words by Dalton Trumbo echo the timeless truth that life is filled with mysteries, many of which elude our understanding. Yet, despite their elusive nature, these forces—whether they are the laws of the universe, the seemingly arbitrary systems of taxation, or the ineffable emotions of love—are undeniable in their presence and their power. Trumbo, with his characteristic wit and insight, reminds us that not all things are meant to be understood in their entirety; some things simply exist, and it is in acknowledging their existence that we come to grip with their profound influence on our lives.

In the ancient world, this truth was embodied by the gods and the forces of nature. The Greeks, for instance, saw the world as governed by powerful forces—Zeus, the god of the sky, or Poseidon, the god of the seas—whose actions and will were often beyond the comprehension of mortals. Yet, despite their inability to fully understand or control these gods, the people still recognized their profound impact on every aspect of life. The same could be said for the Romans who, in their pursuit of the truth, often found themselves humbled by the vastness of the universe. The ancients understood that there were forces at work beyond human comprehension, and rather than rejecting them, they accepted their mystery and learned to live in harmony with them.

The Einstein theory, mentioned by Trumbo, is another such example of a mystery that eludes full understanding. Albert Einstein, through his theory of relativity, redefined the very fabric of the universe, challenging the perceptions of time, space, and gravity. Yet, even as we stand on the shoulders of this monumental scientific achievement, we realize that the deeper implications of his work still confound even the greatest minds. And yet, the universe operates according to these principles, whether we fully grasp them or not. Understanding, Trumbo suggests, is not always the key to existence; sometimes, we must simply accept that certain truths are beyond our comprehension. The force of gravity, after all, is not diminished by our ignorance of its full nature.

Similarly, taxes are a mystery that plagues every society, and yet, they are an undeniable part of existence. They are as much a part of life as the seasons or the changing of the moon, and like those natural cycles, they are unavoidable. Governments may attempt to explain and justify taxes, but ultimately, the very system itself can seem as baffling as the laws of physics. And yet, despite our confusion and frustration, taxes happen. They shape the economies of nations and the lives of individuals, much like the invisible forces that shape the stars. We may not always understand why or how they work, but they are woven into the fabric of our existence, affecting us whether we choose to acknowledge them or not.

Then there is the mystery of love, a force that has confounded poets, philosophers, and sages for millennia. It is both a source of joy and a cause of suffering, a force that binds and releases, elevates and diminishes. Love, as Trumbo suggests, is something that we often cannot fully understand. It is felt, experienced, but never completely comprehended. The ancients, too, struggled to define and understand love, from the tender Eros, the god of love, to the tragic tale of Pyramus and Thisbe, whose love transcended death. Despite our inability to grasp the full meaning of love, it remains one of the most powerful forces in our lives. We feel it deeply, and we act upon it, even when we do not understand its nature.

The lesson in Trumbo’s words is a humbling one: not everything in life can be neatly explained or understood, and that is okay. In fact, it is part of the beauty of life. There are mysteries that will remain beyond our reach, and yet, they continue to shape our existence in profound ways. We do not need to understand the laws of nature, the complexities of taxation, or the depths of love to recognize their power and their importance. Sometimes, the act of accepting that we do not understand is a step toward wisdom. The key, then, is not to demand answers for everything, but to embrace the mystery, to live within it, and to allow it to guide us.

In our own lives, we must remember that acceptance of the unknown is as crucial as the pursuit of knowledge. We will never fully comprehend every force that governs our lives—some mysteries are meant to be lived, not solved. Patience, humility, and openness are essential as we navigate these vast, unknowable realms. Whether it is in our relationships, our understanding of the natural world, or the mysteries of our own hearts, we must allow space for the unknown. By embracing that which we do not understand, we give ourselves the freedom to live fully in the present moment, to experience the world with wonder and awe.

So, let us take Trumbo’s words to heart: not everything can be understood, but that does not diminish its significance. Some truths happen regardless of our comprehension. Let us learn to live with the mysteries, to appreciate the unknown, and to seek the wisdom that lies not in answers, but in acceptance. For it is in embracing the things we do not understand that we come closer to the truth of life itself.