What we treasure most...

A lover of wisdom

Must first love truth

Else wisdom is simply folly.

It has no standard

By which to exist,

No purpose, no import,

And absolutely no risk.

Love of wisdom

that denies existence of truth

Is cowardice called

"the questions and search of youth."

Without truth there is no risk,

for reason and logic

and standards and aim

Do not exist.

For perceptions differ

And questions grow,

And so without truth,

There is nothing you can "know."

Empty, baseless, formless

Become the words we treasure most:

Love, wisdom, goodness,

Honesty, integrity, courage,

Kindness, compassion, hope…