We cannot know the whole truth, which belongs to God…
““We cannot know the whole truth, which belongs to God alone, but our task nevertheless is to seek to know what is true. And if we offend gravely enough against what we know to be true, as by failing badly enough to deal affectionately and responsibly with our land and our neighbors, truth will retaliate with ugliness, poverty, and disease. The crisis of this line of thought is the realization that we are at once limited and unendingly responsible for what we know and do.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Truth is a divine, incomplete concept; humans must strive to understand it responsibly, knowing their actions affect the world and can invite suffering if they ignore truth.
In simple terms: Seek truth responsibly; actions have consequences.
Key Takeaway
Pursue truth with humility and care.
Themes
ethics
responsibility
truth
consequences
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community building
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
environmental ethics
human limitation
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths are we neglecting in daily life?
- How can we balance humility with action?
A Different Perspective
Truth seeking can be limited by human bias and cause unintended harm.