To thine own self be true

Truth seems an elusive commodity. Out of stock. Inconvenient. So much so that pledges to 'tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth' have become banal, cynical rituals bereft of real meaning, uttered only as a rite of passage to the real task of hiding as much truth as possible.

Why has truth been shuffled so far down on our priority lists? Why would someone advance preposterous propositions and then cling to them at all costs? When Driva proclaimed that constitutional rights don't begin at Liguanea (where the US Embassy is located), he appeared to be accusing America of international arrogance; of believing it was the only country whose citizens' constitutional rights deserve respect. In the context of patriotic resistance to an allegedly illegal extradition request, the remark seemed appropriate.

Yet, when, during accusations of harbouring hostility towards America, it was suggested to him that he had referred to the US Embassy, he became very defensive to the point of proffering the ludicrous explanation that he was using 'Liguanea' as the 'demarcation line' between uptown and downtown. Why such absurd extremes? The suggested interpretation, put in its proper context, doesn't provide the slightest proof of hostility to America.

The syndrome resurfaced during key Opposition Budget 'Debate' contributions from Omar Davies and Portia Simpson Miller. Previously, Finance Minister Audley Shaw had produced thoughtful policies and reforms intended to stimulate growth. It was like 20 lawyers at the bottom of the sea. A good start.

Davies and Simpson Miller differed. Davies suggested that the NHT's capital programme be revamped to concentrate on small schemes and use small contractors. Why didn't he suggest this when he was finance minister for 14 years? He complained about the disingenuous fiscal deficit, understated because of unaccounted-for deferred payments. But didn't he also defer payments in his time? Every finance minister juggles/postpones issuing warrants until there's sufficient cash flow.

It's not that the suggestions were without merit. It's that their effect is devalued by the conflict of duty and interest inherent in Davies' being a former finance minister who wants future reappointment. They would've struck a more responsive chord if presented by new blood unscarred by this conflict.

Simpson Miller made yet another impassioned plea for the poor. She suddenly realised Government was dilatory in refunding pensioners' withholding tax. She warned of health-care challenges. She's deeply concerned about renewable energy. But, as a Cabinet minister for 18 years, what did she do about these perennial issues?

umpteen chances

She boasted that the announced tax reforms originated from the 2003 Matalon report. Why weren't they implemented in 2003? Or 2004? Or 2005? Or 2006? Why pretend outrage when you had umpteen chances to formulate these suddenly imperative policies? Why the reluctance to step aside to facilitate a more credible critique? Is it strategic? Or is it just conditioned reflex born of too many years playing political games instead of seeking truth?

Such a reflex might give the illusion of protection from disapproval, but in reality it exposes a desperate spiritual emptiness. It's the compulsive resort of the blissfully unaware of who they really are. If you don't know yourself, you can't know truth. I'm not accusing anybody of actively lying or intending to lie. Beauty is in the beholder's eye. Truth depends on the speaker's perception. Many people haven't thought deeply, hence don't understand the spiritual imperative contained in the Shakespearean commandment by Polonius:

" ... To thine own self be true,

and it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man."

First and foremost, be true to yourself. Be your own person. We know that to belong to another is to be enslaved, but yet we proudly 'belong' to political parties without recognising ourselves as slaves. To 'belong' is to lose one's personal freedom to seek inner truth. Every thought, word and deed must further the group objective. The group defines who we are and confiscates our ability to find ourselves. Eventually, we become forever captive.

Jesus insisted there's no greater commandment than "love your neighbour as yourself". It's not widely recognised for what it is, namely a commandment to love yourself: the essential prerequisite to loving anybody "as yourself". You can't love someone you don't know. So, know the truth about yourself. "To thine own self be true" is the springboard to obeying that overriding commandment. Truth to self leads to self-love, followed by love for all. Truth is love. It'll become your watchword. It'll set the captive free.

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.