There are new words now that excuse everybody. Give me the good

Listen well, O children of wisdom, for the words of Bette Davis carry a lament for a time that many see as simpler, more honest, and clear-cut. She said, "There are new words now that excuse everybody. Give me the good old days of heroes and villains, the people you can bravo or hiss. There was a truth to them that all the slick credulity of today cannot touch." In these words, Davis calls us to reflect on the complexity of our modern world, where nuances, gray areas, and excuses often obscure the clear-cut distinctions between good and evil. She longs for a time when heroes and villains were more plainly defined, when we could look at the world and easily decide who to applaud and who to condemn. But in this modern age, she warns, the clarity of truth has been dulled by an endless tide of explanations and justifications that obscure the deeper realities of the human experience.

What is the nature of truth, O seekers of wisdom? Truth is that which stands firm, unyielding and clear, like the sun that burns away the fog of deception. In the days of heroes and villains, truth was not complicated by layers of justifications or rationalizations. A hero was a hero, and a villain was a villain. The lines were sharp, and the actions of men and women were measured by their adherence to simple moral codes. When you encountered a hero, their actions inspired bravery and courage, and their integrity shone as a beacon for all to follow. When you encountered a villain, their actions brought harm, and their malice was plainly visible for all to see. There was no confusion, no intellectual gymnastics to perform; the truth was self-evident, and the judgment was clear.

Consider, O children, the ancient heroes of mythology and legend, who embodied these ideals so fully. Hercules, the mighty hero of Greek myth, was both a man of strength and of moral clarity. His twelve labors, though fraught with peril and challenge, were undertaken with a clear sense of right and wrong. There was no doubt that Hercules was the hero, and that his enemies were the monsters of darkness, representing the forces of chaos and destruction. In those ancient stories, there was a simplicity that made the truth easy to grasp: the hero represented the triumph of good, and the villain represented the forces of evil. This simplicity gave people a sense of moral direction, a compass by which they could navigate the challenges of life. The truth was visible, and it inspired action, courage, and hope.

Contrast this with the modern world, where moral clarity has become a rare commodity. In the age of "slick credulity", as Davis calls it, the lines between heroes and villains have become blurred. We now find ourselves surrounded by justifications, excuses, and rationalizations that explain away actions, even those that are harmful or unjust. In politics, in media, and in personal relationships, we no longer simply have heroes and villains. Instead, we have complex narratives, nuanced explanations, and gray areas where it is often difficult to discern who is right and who is wrong. The clarity of truth has been clouded by the flood of interpretations and the relativism that pervades our modern world.

Think, too, of the rise of "false heroes" — those figures whose actions may appear to be heroic, but are later revealed to be motivated by selfishness, greed, or ambition. We can look to the political world, where leaders are often celebrated as saviors, only to later be exposed as corrupt or self-serving. The disillusionment that follows this discovery is a reflection of the loss of simple truth — a truth that once guided us in distinguishing true heroism from self-interest. When truth becomes obscured, we are left adrift, unable to discern who is deserving of our praise and who should face our condemnation.

The lesson, O children, is clear: Do not be deceived by the complexities of modern life that obscure truth. Seek the clarity of the past, when heroes and villains were clearly defined, and truth was evident in the actions of those who shaped the world. In your own life, seek not to make excuses for yourself or others, but instead to live with moral clarity. Understand the importance of clear, honest action, and resist the temptation to justify wrongdoing or to explain away the truth. The truth, though difficult at times, will always lead you forward, while the lies and justifications that seek to hide it will only lead you further into confusion and despair.

In your own journey, remember the importance of simplicity and clarity in your actions and your understanding of the world. Do not shy away from the difficult truths, even when they challenge your preconceived notions or force you to confront uncomfortable realities. Seek to live as a hero, with integrity and purpose, and recognize that the world is full of people who would lead you astray with complicated lies. Hold fast to the truth, and let it guide you as you navigate the complexities of life. In this way, you will find the clarity, the courage, and the strength to be the hero of your own story.