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The true is what is; the false is what is not, and we are in a time when it is not easy sometimes to tell the difference. From advertising which presents a false picture of whatever is the subject of the advertisement, through social norms, exaggeration, selectivity, and emphasis to pretense, propaganda and intentional deception, we do live in a time when it seems the false is all around.

Of course, this has always been the case somewhere and sometime, but our day does seem to be a day when political discourse leads the way out of what is into what is not. We are not yet, I think, in a time that provides examples of Lenin’s view, or a time when politicians—or at least some of them—show us that, as Hitler said, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” But I do lament and despair for our future. 

Whatever our concerns on the political level, however, our first concern should be our own life. Before we are in a position to flay Donald Trump or his supporters and a great many others, every action or word of our own should be reliable. Yes, there might be what appear to be exceptions or at least questions, but they will be few. In the meanwhile, whatever goes on in the swamp, around the world, or in our lives, we should feel personally obliged to tell the truth—although that will not always be easy.