The Nine Noble Virtues: a Modern Take - Truth

The Nine Noble Virtues are a modern invention, so it seems my title is redundant. However, little seems to have been done to bring the concepts themselves from the past into the present.

I do not consider the NNV to be a historical reference. I do consider them to be a modern way of understanding cultural and even subconscious values that were stressed, if not perfectly, by those peoples lumped together as Norsemen.

This series will explore my thoughts on these values and, hopefully, start conversations about them in a modern context.

The hardest thing to face about the Truth is that, despite all of our beliefs and efforts to the contrary, it can be subjective. This means that what is Truth to one person may not be Truth to another, and that doesn't necessarily make one of them wrong.

How do we navigate a world where one's Truth is so embedded in one's experiences? How do we hold on to what is right when there are so many shades of gray?

The only thing we can do is to discover our own Truth. This isn't as easy as it sounds, either. We all have a shallow idea of truth, but it isn't until we do the work of self-reflection and self-awareness that we learn our deeper Truth.

And, in case that isn't tough enough, we must also learn to understand (though not necessarily agree with) the deeper Truth of others. Only then can we know what we stand for, and what we will stand up for.

Truth is very much entwined with courage. It takes strength of mind and self to be able to dig deep into our beliefs and our selves to uncover our Truths. It takes a fortitude of spirit to stand up for what we believe is right in the face of people defending, sometimes violently, their own beliefs.

Recently, I was faced with an opportunity to stand up for something. Even those who believe the same as I do didn't necessarily agree with the standing up part. While I admit I was emotionally exhausted and unable to make a good showing, I still stood up for what I felt was right.

Sometimes, you don't get praised for doing what is right by your Truth. Sometimes, others don't understand, either because their Truth varies just that much from yours, or because they don't have the courage to take the actions that you do (or vice versa).

The part that sucks is knowing that, to a certain point, all of these things are valid. But you don't owe anyone the compromise of your Truth, just as they don't owe you the same. Any re-evaluation must be for you.

Odin knew the power of Truth and the importance of constantly seeking the Truth. He was the Wanderer, walking the worlds for years to learn about different peoples and beliefs. He knew the value of speaking the truth, and of withholding the truth when necessary.

There is value in all knowledge, and in understanding others, we know more about ourselves.

And that's the Truth.