This quote, “Veracity is a plant of paradise, and the seeds have never flourished beyond the walls,” is rich in metaphoric symbolism. Veracity refers to truthfulness or accuracy. Here it’s likened to a plant of paradise, suggesting that truthfulness is an ideal state or condition, something pure and beautiful like the concept of paradise.
The second half of the quote implies that these seeds (of veracity) have never flourished beyond the walls (of paradise). It suggests that truthfulness doesn’t seem to thrive outside this idealized place.Simply put, in our real world – which is far from perfect – honesty and accuracy are frequently enough compromised for various reasons such as personal gain, fear of repercussions etc.
Applying this idea in today’s world could mean acknowledging how rare absolute truth can be because we live in a complex society where different perspectives exist on what constitutes ‘truth’. For instance, media bias or political propaganda can skew reality for their own purposes. Hence it becomes increasingly important for us as individuals to seek out reliable sources and think critically about information presented to us.
On a personal progress level, striving towards veracity could involve cultivating honesty within ourselves; being truthful with our feelings and thoughts even if they might not align with societal expectations or norms. It may also involve practicing integrity by standing up for what we believe is right even when it’s inconvenient or challenging.
In essence then, even though Eliot suggests that veracity may struggle to flourish outside paradise’s walls due to societal complexities and pressures; each individual has the potential within themself to cultivate this ‘plant’, making their little corner of the world more akin to ‘paradise’.
