This quote suggests that even though the speaker may contradict their own words or beliefs at times, they do not contradict the truth. The reference to Demades, an ancient Greek orator known for his sharp wit and wisdom, underscores the importance of adhering to truth despite personal inconsistencies.
On a deeper level, this quote explores the idea of personal growth and evolution. It acknowledges that as individuals learn and grow, their perspectives and opinions might change—leading to apparent contradictions in what they say or believe over time. However, these changes do not mean they are deviating from the truth; instead, they are getting closer to it through a process of continuous learning and self-improvement.
In today’s world or in personal development terms, this quote can be interpreted as an encouragement for open-mindedness and continuous learning. In our journey towards self-improvement or understanding complex issues around us (like politics or social issues), we may find ourselves changing opinions based on new information we encounter. This doesn’t mean we’re being untruthful but rather evolving our understanding towards a greater truth.
For instance, someone might have believed in certain stereotypes about a group of people due to lack of exposure or misinformation. But upon meeting individuals from that group or educating themselves more about their culture and experiences—this person’s views might radically shift.
In such cases—yes—they’re contradicting their previous stand but not contradicting ‘truth.’ This underlines how acknowledging one’s past ignorance isn’t equivalent to lying but part of growing wiser by aligning oneself more closely with reality—or ‘truth.’
