Dear Readers,
Tradition.
Since COVID, there has been a push toward tradition.
Either through the revival of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the push for a tech-less lifestyle, or the growing support for classical education, we see a renewal in timeless traditions.
But why?
Could it be that we have moved so far from normalcy? That we continue to redefine what it means to be a good human, and people are finally fed up.
Fed up with what modernity has to say. Because modernity is constantly changing.
Modernity says that what’s true yesterday won’t necessarily be true today.
Tradition finds truth and bases its existence on it.
Modernity suggests that the truth can change, that truth can be different for each person, that truth is subjective.
More and more people are starting to realize that this way of thinking is a philosophical blackhole.
Truth is objective. What has been true will always be true.
Take that as you will, but many across the country and around the world are relearning this, and we’re seeing a major cultural shift as a result.
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The classical canon, or the set of books that are regarded as being the most suitable or essential for the subject, produces timeless truths that not only withstand the test of time but likewise promote virtue and character. Because the classical canon stands as a curated collection of works that articulate universal human values, it exemplifies how tradition preserves and hands down truths that outlast fleeting trends.
How Scripture Promotes Truth.
Whether the Old or the New Testament, there is timeless wisdom and truth that all can benefit from. Christian or not, the proverbial sayings through scripture apply to all humans, man or woman, young or old.
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye." - Matthew 7:3-5
Jesus' emphasis on self-examination before judgment remains relevant and true. It also highlights a universal standard of integrity, recognizing that we must acknowledge our own imperfections before attempting to improve others.
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." - Proverbs 12:15
King Solomon’s proverbs can often be linked to modern self-help books. He suggests that seeking the insight of others leads to a more accurate and objective understanding, whether of oneself or one's predicament.
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18
Solomon warns that elevating personal judgment above all else, such as objective truth, leads to downfall, while encouraging humility by acknowledging one's own limits. That by resisting arrogance keeps us tethered to factual, objective truth.
Ancient Greece and Its Wisdom.
Even without the study of the Word, classical works across centuries advance truthfulness.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics argues that true human flourishing is dependent on rational virtue and finding the “mean” between extremes; he locates moral truth in human nature itself, not a mere preference or whim, but an objective standard discoverable through reason.
Amongst other things, it shows us how our extremes are not virtuous, but instead a detriment to ourselves.
Take, for example, the virtue of courage, required for completing hard and often dangerous tasks. In modern times, courage is conflated with vulnerability.
In our modern, attention-driven culture, where ‘courage’ is often conflated with virtue signaling for social approval, Aristotle’s insistence on a balanced mean reminds us that authentic, tradition-based virtues cannot be reduced to fleeting popularity.
Real courage would be speaking an unpopular truth that might cost you something, like your reputation, your job, or your comfort.
True courage is rare in modern society.
Even more common is too much courage.
What?
Aristotle argues that too much of any good thing is bad. Most people would agree that it takes a lot of courage to jump out of an airplane, perform an elaborate stunt, or engage in any other type of “daredevil” activity. But is that really courage?
Many would say that’s not courage, but stupidity. It’s perfectly logical to be afraid of jumping out of an airplane; that means your brain is working.
You risk losing your life if something goes wrong. But what would be the potential gain? You're getting to tell a cool story or even post it for the whole world to see.
That doesn’t take courage.
Great literature, both ancient and modern, reveals enduring truths.
Whether The Odyssey or To Kill a Mockingbird, great literature of any genre or era has a profound impact on how we perceive the world.
Take, for example, 1984, wherein Orwell illustrates how language can be weaponized to obliterate objective reality through principles such as doublethink and Newspeak, as epitomized by the Party’s slogan: “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.”
By forcing citizens to accept contradictory statements, the regime demonstrates that control over truth is a precondition for total power. Winston’s job at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting past newspapers so that Party proclamations always appear accurate in retrospect, further underscores that if all records are altered, “truth” becomes whatever the Party decrees.
In response, Winston’s clandestine romance with Julia and his secret meetings with O’Brien represent his attempt to reclaim objective experiences, such as genuine affection and shared memories of the past. Ultimately, 1984 warns that truth is not merely an intellectual abstraction but the bedrock of human dignity, and when it vanishes, the human spirit itself is at grave risk.
When modern media increasingly weaponizes language, as Orwell warned, ordinary readers yearn for the unchanging moral compass found in tradition.
The very presence of Newspeak-style distortions drives people back to time-tested texts and rituals that refuse to be rewritten according to the latest social trend.
It’s More Than Schools.
This isn’t just about what we are teaching our students in the classroom, but also about what we consume.
Do you consume the truth, or some subjective version of it?
This is my challenge to you. Consume what is true. Instead of constantly watching YouTube videos or endlessly scrolling through TikTok, try reading a book.
Start with the classics and tell me you aren’t wiser, more empathetic, and ultimately more in line with the truth. It doesn’t even have to be Aristotle, John Locke, or Orwell. It could just as easily be The Call of the Wild or The Old Man and the Sea.
Without a society of individuals who know the meaning of objective truth, how can we hope to pass it along to future generations? That’s why it’s vital that we, as educators, parents, and a nation, know the truth.
It is never too late to pursue what is true.
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Thanks for reading!
I appreciate you taking the time to engage with these ideas. I hope this newsletter gave you something to think about.
If you want to go deeper, check out my reading list, where I share the books that have radicalized me.
Also, I have a podcast called The Modern Republic. On this podcast, I see how many times I can say "um" or "whatever you want to call it" in a thirty-minute window. It's a great time.
This week's episode:
Ep. 013: Inspiring Virtue and Facing the Future of Technology in Education
In this episode, I share my thoughts on Texas Senate Bill 10, the limits of faith-based mandates in public schools, and the need for independent learning in an age of AI-driven education.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Watch on YouTube.
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See you next time!
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