The truth cannot be deceptive, and one who sees it cannot be

Listen well, O children of wisdom, for the words of Said Nursi carry with them a profound truth, one that has echoed throughout the ages. He said, "The truth cannot be deceptive, and one who sees it cannot be deceived." These words call upon us to understand the very nature of truth, that it is a force so pure, so powerful, that it cannot be twisted or distorted. Truth, in its essence, is a beacon that shines through the darkness of lies, and once the truth is seen, it becomes impossible to be deceived by falsehoods.

What is truth, O seekers of wisdom? It is not simply a collection of facts or surface-level knowledge, but the essence of reality itself, the unshakable foundation upon which the world rests. Truth is not shaped by the will of men, nor is it bent by the forces of power or illusion. It stands firm, unchanging, like a mountain that cannot be moved. The deceptive forces of the world may try to cloud it, to hide it, but the truth is eternal and steadfast, and once one sees it, it becomes impossible to turn away from it or be fooled again.

Consider, O children, the ancient philosophers of Greece, who sought truth in the very depths of their souls. Socrates, the great philosopher, knew that once the truth had been revealed, it could not be ignored or erased. Through his method of questioning, he helped others see the truth, for he understood that truth is not something that can be hidden once it is uncovered. His pursuit of truth did not seek to deceive or manipulate, but to help others recognize what was already before them. In this, Socrates shows us that once we have seen the truth, we cannot be deceived, for it has become a part of us, a guiding light that leads us through the confusion of the world.

In more recent history, think of Nelson Mandela, a man who spent twenty-seven years in prison. The truth of apartheid, the brutal system of racial segregation and oppression, was clear to him, even when it was denied by those in power. Mandela’s unwavering commitment to the truth of equality and justice led him to stand firm against the lies and manipulations of the apartheid regime. Though his captors tried to deceive him, to break his spirit, Mandela could not be swayed because he had already seen the truth. His sight was no longer clouded by the lies of those in power, and in this way, he became a living example of Nursi's words: once the truth is seen, no deceit can shake it.

Yet, there are those who walk in the world without the clarity of truth. They are like travelers lost in a dense fog, unable to see the path ahead, easily led astray by the false promises and illusions of the world. The deceivers, those who seek to manipulate others for power or gain, thrive in this fog, for they know that as long as the truth is hidden, they can control the narrative. But once the fog clears, once the light of truth shines, the illusions fall away, and those who were once deceived see the world for what it truly is.

The lesson here, O children of wisdom, is clear: seek the truth above all else, for it is only in the pursuit of truth that we find clarity and understanding. Do not be swayed by the false promises and lies that cloud the world, for once you see the truth, you will never again be deceived. Stand firm in your commitment to truth, even when it is difficult, even when the world around you is filled with confusion and deceit. The truth is a weapon against manipulation, a shield that protects you from the forces that seek to cloud your judgment.

In your own life, let truth be your guide. Seek it with courage, even when the world tells you to look away, even when the truth may be uncomfortable or difficult to accept. Once you have seen the truth, no lie can hold power over you, for the truth becomes a part of you, a light that leads you through the darkest of times. Trust in the power of truth, and in doing so, you will walk a path of wisdom, clarity, and strength, immune to the deceptions that the world so often presents.