The Traveler and Truth
A traveler met an old woman sitting with tearful eyes and alone on a deserted desert road. Approaching the woman, the traveler asked "O honorable woman, what is your name and why do you sit alone in such a deserted place?" The woman said in a sad voice "My name is Truth; I used to live in cities before, but now I took refuge here." When the traveler asked in surprise "Why did you abandon cities and people?" Truth replied "Before, lies existed among few people, now everyone lies, I can no longer stay in those places."
When honesty and truthfulness disappear in societies and lies prevail, Truth abandons that realm. In places where lies reign, truthful people are condemned to loneliness and exclusion. Reviving honesty is possible by opening doors to Truth once again. The collapse of a society begins with Truth abandoning the city.
Where lies multiply, Truth remains alone. When honesty is lost, society collapses. If lies prevail, the truth cannot stay. Truth withdraws into loneliness.
Truthfulness is the greatest virtue. Honesty is what keeps society alive. Protecting Truth preserves the future.