“Truth, in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damnable, dangerous, disorderly, and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidelic and contrary to the Bible. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, we aver that we have always upheld it and believed it.”

(-: OK, sometimes; possibly much to often :-)

He must have had a time machine and visited our time before writing this. I have seen this in my life numerous times. Guess it never changes.

During the "Dark Ages", you could get your head lopped off if you said anything that went against the religous hierarchy.

"Truth" and its "recognition" or popularity, its convenience or inconvenience, are in fact two different things.

Truth is not reached by consensus, it either is or is not. If the truth is denied it will eventually become the painful truth and then it cannot be denied. Governments from time to time try to circumvent the law of supply and demand, but deny it long enough and the entire economy will collapse and create undeniable pain for everyone.

The quote applies to 'Liberty' as well as 'Truth.' I find the search for 'Truth' to be never-ending -- it uncovers mostly the lies (which is freeing in its own right). Speaking truthfully, however, is always possible even if all one can say is "I don't know." We know when we lie, and it is possible to tell the truth. I believe the seeker of truth need only learn how to tell the truth and then he will 'find' it. ;-)