Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hmmm.  OK.  So there’s beauty in truth.  But how to tell the truth from the lies?

You’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.

– Obi-Wan Kenobi

So what’s your point of view?  Is life full of happy singing birds?  Is all right with the world?  Will loving thy neighbor solve everything?  Hmmm.  Fine.  This isn’t for you.

If, however, you believe humans are inherently flawed…that managing our downside rather than reaching for the often unachievable upside is the key to improvement…if grasping reality rather than clinging to hopes and dreams seems incredibly pragmatic…then this is for you.