Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by

Hear the immortal words of Leo Tolstoy, sage of Russia and witness to the depths of the human soul: “Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.” In this saying, he reveals the hidden nature of truth—that it is not something we create, not something that swells with our invention, but something that already exists, buried beneath layers of error, illusion, and vanity. To find it, one must become a miner of the soul, patient and relentless, separating the dross from the treasure until only purity remains.

The meaning is clear yet demanding. We do not manufacture truth as men forge tools or build cities. Truth is eternal, like veins of gold buried deep in the earth. What obscures it are lies, prejudices, half-truths, and the illusions we cling to. Thus the work of the seeker is not to invent but to purify—to strip away what is false, to cleanse thought and heart until the shining core is revealed. This is why Tolstoy, who spent his life wrestling with questions of morality, faith, and society, spoke with such urgency. He knew that truth does not grow like crops, but is revealed like treasure freed from mud and stone.

The ancients bore witness to this. The philosopher Socrates proclaimed that he knew nothing, and in confessing ignorance he sought to wash away pretension and false knowledge. Through dialogue he stripped away error, until his companions were forced to confront reality itself. He did not give them new doctrines; he removed their illusions. His method was the very embodiment of Tolstoy’s image: cleansing away the dirt until truth shone through, small yet indestructible, like a nugget of gold.

History offers us another example in Galileo Galilei. For centuries, men believed the heavens revolved around the earth. This belief was not truth but dust, clinging to the gold. Galileo, through observation and courage, washed away the falsehoods of tradition. He did not create truth; he uncovered it. The earth circled the sun long before man dared to speak it. In facing persecution, he proved that truth is eternal—it requires no growth, only recognition.

But the path of truth is not only for philosophers and scientists; it lies before every soul. Within each life, illusions take root—illusions of pride, of fear, of false desires. We mistake shadows for substance, and cling to them. Yet when hardship comes, or when conscience awakens, the washing begins. What seemed precious is revealed as worthless, and what endures—the pure gold of honesty, love, and humility—shines more brightly than all else. Thus adversity itself becomes a crucible for truth.

The lesson is timeless: if you would know truth, seek not to invent but to cleanse. Examine your beliefs, your desires, your judgments. Ask: what here is real, and what is vanity? Be willing to strip away what flatters but deceives, and to endure the labor of washing away illusions. The treasure you uncover will not be large in appearance, but it will be pure, eternal, and indestructible.

Practical is this path: live simply, question deeply, and cut away falsehood wherever you find it—in yourself first, and then in the world. Do not be discouraged when the process feels slow, for truth is not easily won. It is uncovered grain by grain, as gold is sifted from rivers. Yet know this: once you hold even a fragment of it, it is wealth greater than empires. For as Tolstoy teaches, truth is not grown, but revealed by washing away all that is not gold—and to hold it in your hand is to hold the very essence of life.