--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The associations get only richer and more…" description: "\"“The associations get only richer and more intense when you realise that the very concept of truth - the cornerstone of philosophy and religion alike, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/robert-rowland-smith-40187_ancient-greek_the-associations-get-only-richer-and-mor_2069569.jpg" --- # The associations get only richer and more intense when you… ![“The associations get only richer and more intense when you realise that the very concept of truth - the cornerstone of philosophy and religion alike, let alone law - also rests heavily on the meaning of waking up. And you don't need a philosopher to appreciate it, because there are clues to its…” quote by Robert Rowland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/robert-rowland-smith-40187_ancient-greek_the-associations-get-only-richer-and-mor_2069569.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/robert-rowland-smith-40187_ancient-greek_the-associations-get-only-richer-and-mor_2069569.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/robert-rowland-smith-40187_ancient-greek_the-associations-get-only-richer-and-mor_2069569.jpg) > ““The associations get only richer and more intense when you realise that the very concept of truth - the cornerstone of philosophy and religion alike, let alone law - also rests heavily on the meaning of waking up. And you don't need a philosopher to appreciate it, because there are clues to its dependency in everyday phrases such as 'waking up to the truth', 'my eyes were opened' and even 'wake up and smell the coffee'. If such phrases hint that waking up and truth are bedfellows of some sort, you need only go back to the ancient Greek for corroboration. There you'll find that the word truth is 'aletheia', from which in English we get the word for 'lethargy'. But see how the Greek word is 'a-letheia' rather than letheia - that is truth is the opposite of lethargy. And what is opposite of lethargy, if not waking up?”” [Robert Rowland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rowland-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage links the Greek origin of “truth” (aletheia) to awakening, arguing that truth is the opposite of lethargy and that becoming aware is akin to waking up, emphasizing the active nature of truth. **In simple terms:** Truth means waking up; it opposes lethargy. Key Takeaway Seek awareness; avoid intellectual laziness. Themes philosophy language etymology consciousness Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - personal reflection - educational workshops - mindfulness training - critical thinking seminars Key Concepts aletheia truth awakening lethargy cognitive activation Questions to Reflect On - How does personal awareness affect your sense of truth? - What practices help you stay intellectually alert? A Different Perspective Equating truth with awakening may oversimplify complex epistemology. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient greek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-greek/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy and religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-and-religion/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“In the New Testament, "myth stands over against the truth (aletheia) of the history of Jesus Christ ... the decisive die has ... been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-c-berkouwer/in-the-new-testament-myth-stands-over-against-the-truth-aletheia-of/) [G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-c-berkouwer/) > [Waking up in truth is much better than living in a lie. :](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/waking-up-in-truth-is-much-better-than-living-in-a-lie/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Waking up in TRUTH is so much better than living in a lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/waking-up-in-truth-is-so-much-better-than-living-in-a-lie/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [In every truth, the opposite is equally true. 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