“Time discovers truth.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“Time discovers truth.”
Explanation
The passage of time reveals what is real, enduring, and genuine. Seneca the Younger emphasizes that truth may be obscured by lies, error, or misunderstanding in the short term, but time has a way of stripping away falsehood and illusion. What may be hidden, doubted, or denied eventually comes to light through the slow but relentless unfolding of events.
This Stoic reflection speaks to the virtue of patience and the inevitability of reality asserting itself. Seneca understood that truth does not always triumph instantly—injustice, deceit, or confusion may prevail for a time. But unlike fleeting illusions, truth has durability. It survives scrutiny, outlasts manipulation, and emerges with clarity when the noise of the moment fades.
In today’s fast-moving world of misinformation and opinion, this quote is especially relevant. Trends, fads, and lies may dominate the present, but with time, their hollowness is exposed. Seneca reminds us to trust in the long arc of truth, and to seek it with patience, integrity, and courage, knowing that time is its most faithful ally.
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