Truth for Authority or Authority for Truth?

I found these quotes very interesting. They are from ‘The Natural Genesis’ by Gerald Massey, 1883. I reflected on the saying ‘hard to take Truth for authority who have so long mistaken Authority for truth’. It makes you think of how willingly we are to believe what is said because it comes from Authority rather then truth. For myself that truth is an inner truth. I feel instinctively if something is not true. I trust that. I do not wish to follow those who do not know, or be blinded by words with no substance or experience. I am looking for those who truly know. The wisdom of the elders, although many young ones these days are wise as well. There is nothing more important then finding your own truth. It is worth the pain and struggle. I have spoken a lot of truth in my life, many times it has been met with silence. Never delivered harshly but openly, yes. In a world where people pretend truth with authority or process, it is very difficult to have a candid discussion. With men I have found this particularly the case, women are more likely to tackle the issue. However, there are exceptions on both sides. When you speak the truth you honour yourself as you know you have shown courage alone. When you don’t, deep down you know and you start to dislike yourself, as you betray yourself. That is the beginning of unhappiness. The truth sets us free … to be ourselves. That is what that statement means.

Here are some wise quotes.

http://www.masseiana.org/ngbk0.htm

‘In the customs and institutions of schools, academies, colleges, and similar bodies destined for the abode of learned men and the cultivation of learning, everything is found adverse to the progress of science. For the lectures and exercises there are so ordered, that to think or speculate on anything out of the common way can hardly occur to any man. And if one or two have the boldness to use any liberty of judgment, they must undertake the task all by themselves they can have no advantage from the company of others. And if they can endure this also, they will find their industry and largeness of mind no slight hindrance to their fortune. For the studies of men in these places are confined and as it were imprisoned in the writings of certain authors, from whom if any man dissent he is straightway arraigned as a turbulent person and an innovator.’—Bacon[1]

They needs must find it hard to take Truth for authority who have so long mistaken Authority for truth[2].

The Shadows of the past, substantialized,
Environ us; we are built about from birth
With life-long shutting-out of light from heaven[3].

‘The few who had the courage to call the child by its right name, the few that knew something of it, who foolishly opened their hearts and revealed their vision to the many, were always burnt or crucified.’—Goethe[4]

‘Tis a truth, howe’er unheeded,
Work least wanted is most needed[5].

There is, however, an ineradicable tendency in human nature, howsoever few may cultivate it at one time in the same direction, never to rest short of the attainable; and however minimised its value may appear in the process of attainment, we cannot rest until we know the truth[6].

‘As for wisdom, what she is and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries front you; but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth.’—Wisdom of Solomon[12].

‘Why does not someone teach me the constellations, and make me at home in the starry heavens, which are always overhead, and which I do not half know to this day?’—Carlyle[13].

‘The time is near when these mysteries shall be revealed.’—Zohar[14].

‘Now Joseph, the son of Rabbi Joshua, being sick, passed into the state of trance. His father inquired of him, “What seest thou?” He replied, “The world turned upside down. The lofty are laid low, and the lowly are lifted up on high.” When his father heard this, he said unto him, “Verily, thou hast seen the age of Selection.”‘—Pesachim[15].