Of course it's the same old story. Truth usually is the same old

Hear the words of Margaret Thatcher, who once declared: “Of course it’s the same old story. Truth usually is the same old story.” At first glance, these words seem plain, even unremarkable, yet within them lies an ancient echo. The truth, eternal and unchanging, does not dress itself in new costumes for every generation. It remains steady, like the mountains that stand unmoved though storms howl around them. The “same old story” is no dismissal, but a recognition: truth does not bend to fashion, nor does it grow weary with time. It simply abides, waiting for eyes willing to see it.

The human heart, however, craves novelty. Men and women chase after the glitter of new doctrines, new illusions, new comforts. They wish to believe that wisdom can be remade as easily as garments, or that justice and morality are inventions of their own age. Yet, the ancients knew: the truth of human life—of courage, honor, love, and sacrifice—has always been told. From the clay tablets of Mesopotamia to the Scriptures of prophets, from the poems of Homer to the speeches of freedom’s champions, the story is the same. Men rise, men fall, yet the path to virtue does not change.

Consider the tale of Socrates, the philosopher who stood trial before the people of Athens. They accused him of corrupting youth and dishonoring the gods. Yet, his crime was not corruption, but the fearless pursuit of truth. When asked to renounce his teachings to save his life, he refused. He said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This was not a new story; it was the same old story, the ancient song of integrity over fear, of truth over convenience. Socrates drank the hemlock and died, but his story lives because it is timeless—because truth repeats itself through every age.

So too did Thatcher’s own words reflect her battles. In politics, she faced storms of opposition, accusations, and shifting winds of opinion. Yet she stood firm on the “same old story”—that strength is born of responsibility, that freedom requires discipline, that prosperity arises from toil. Whether one agreed or not with her policies, her conviction was plain: truths about human nature and society do not change merely because a new century dawns. What is true remains true, even when it is unfashionable.

Look closely, and you will see this in your own life. When hardship comes, the “new” advice will often fail, but the same old story remains: patience, endurance, and courage carry you through. When love falters, books of modern theories may complicate, but the truth is unchanged: kindness, honesty, and sacrifice heal wounds. When facing the lure of temptation, clever rationalizations may disguise it, but the same old story returns: integrity is the way, and dishonor brings ruin.

Therefore, my child, do not despise the repetition of truth. It is repeated because it must be remembered. It is old because it has withstood the test of ages. Lies wear new faces each season, but truth is ancient, familiar, and steadfast. When Thatcher said truth is the “same old story,” she spoke as one who had seen both the shifting illusions of politics and the bedrock of enduring principle. She reminded us that we should not be deceived by novelty; the true path will always look familiar, because it is the path that was walked by generations before us.

Take this lesson, then: when you hear wisdom that sounds like an old refrain, do not turn away, but listen more deeply. The fact that it is old does not make it dull; it makes it eternal. In your life, practice the same old story of truth: speak with honesty, stand firm in adversity, and cling to what is just, even when others laugh and call it old-fashioned. Do not chase every new philosophy or fad, but anchor yourself in principles that have weathered centuries.

And remember this: novelty dazzles for a moment, but it fades. The truth, though it may seem the “same old story,” is a flame that never dies. It is the light that guided your ancestors, the light that will guide your descendants, and the light that will never abandon you, if only you dare to walk in it. Cling to the old truth, for it is the eternal truth, and it alone will set you free.