These days, it seems like the truth is optional, even demonized.    Truth is the most important thing for a society (or a family, or any group of individuals) to be able to function and remain psychologically and spiritually healthy.     Valuing the truth is necessary for a society to remain civilized.  Any society that has a casual relationship with the truth or attempts to silence those who speak the truth (or that discourages or forbids critical thinking, creativity, and education — because all these things get at the truth) is on a slippery slope to becoming a dictatorship.

I would have loved to attend the March for Truth here my city today, but due to injuring my right knee a few weeks ago, I can’t walk long distances, so I wasn’t able to go.   Marches are being held in many cities throughout the United States and around the world today.

Since I couldn’t march, I wanted to do something to honor this day, so here are some quotes about truth we all need to remember and take to heart.

The only people who are mad at you for speaking the truth are those people who are living a lie. — Unknown

Morality is the basis of things, and truth is the substance of morality.  — Mahatma Gandhi

Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.  — Albert Einstein

Truth is like surgery. It hurts but cures.  Lies are like a pain killer.  It gives instant relief but has side effects forever. — Unknown

I’m for truth, no matter who tells it.   I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against. — Malcolm X

Sometimes the truth hurts.  And sometimes it feels real. — Henry Rollins

Three things cannot be long hidden:  the sun, the moon, and the truth. — Buddha

The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth. — John F. Kennedy

Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth. — Albert Einstein

Tell the truth, or someone will tell it for you.  — Stephanie Klein

The greatest advantage of telling the truth is you don’t have to remember what you said. — Mark Twain

You can’t change the truth, but the truth can change you.  — Hebrews 5: 12-14

The worst thing about being lied to is knowing you’re not worth the truth — Anonymous

Truth is so obscured nowadays, and lies so well established, that unless we love the truth, we shall never recognize it. — Blaise Pascal

In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story. — Walter Cronkite

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. — Gloria Steinem

A wise man confesses his wrong, a fool defends it. — Unknown

Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth. — Unknown