Advice

Leave the beaten path, young man.
Don't let another rule you.
Traverse through open forest, see
In every brook and glade and tree
A purpose that can move you.

The broader ways are lies, young man.
They only seek to guide you
To what another sees as good.
But therein lies the rub: the road
Pretends it doesn't blind you.

See beauty all around, young man.
No law can force your seeing.
Refuse to let another say
Which things are pleasant, and which way.
And you will find it freeing.

So leave the trodden trail, I say.
Go where your own heart leads you.
Will others take the trail you blaze?
Who cares! Leave them to their own ways!
Your own self is what frees you!

Veritatis Carmen Explained

For my first blog post, I suppose I should probably explain the title Veritatis Carmen, which basically translates into English as “A Song about Truth.” Just as music communicates beauty mysteriously, without claiming to exhaust it, so this song will, I hope, identify and praise truth without presuming to capture and tame it. To paraphrase the Tao Te Ching, the truth that can be named is not the eternal truth; nevertheless one can try to write about truth.

My intention for this blog, as the title suggests, is to use it as a place to seek and celebrate truth. I invite you to send me questions you’d like me to try to answer, topics you’d like me to address, or suggestions for ways to improve. Mostly I’ll be writing about history, philosophy, biblical interpretation, and theology. Occasionally I may also write about opera or beer or politics. No matter what the subject, my goal will be to articulate something true about a portion of the universe and thus to praise the Author of all truth.