Basically, living organisms are condemned to fight for survival from the very moment they are conceived. Fulfilling a series of physiological activities such as feeding themselves, breathing and getting rid of toxic metabolic by-products forms part of the inbuilt strategy for survival. This is assisted by other instincts such as hiding from predators.

Human beings differ from other creatures in that their life is not limited to a series of fixed instinctive activities aimed at survival. Our fulfilment, happiness and even survival depend on higher considerations guided by the seed of divinity. That seed of divinity some would call intelligence enables us to experience feelings and emotions, to discriminate between good and bad, to express ourselves in a creative way through art for instance and to feel the rapture of spirituality.

Now you might argue that intelligence cannot be the seed of divinity as it is often at the root of many misdeeds. My answer to this is very simple: We are born free, so are our choices, wrong use of our intelligence will definitely result in adverse outcomes. This does not mean intelligence is wrong in itself it is only subject to our choices. Right choices for intelligence are often guided by timeless universal values which are deeply inbuilt in our hearts. These values are the pillars and vectors of fulfilment in life. They assist in building the strong and vital human interrelationships we call cooperation.

In my opinion, truth stands out as one of the most important values. Truth quenches our thirst for certainty in a life. I think we are the only beings who are conscious that the uncertainty of our tomorrows swings to the rhythm of the certainty of our death. One day we all must die, that is why we long for lasting, genuine things in our life ?

We long for relationships based on truth. We crave for true love and true friendship that won?t let us down in bad weather. Trustworthy businesses are more likely to succeed so are trustworthy employees. We swear to tell the truth in court while people who are true to their convictions earn respect and admiration.

Unfortunately truth has always been subject to attacks from evil people who make wrong use of their intelligence. You will recall how the serpent lied to Eve ,triggering the expulsion of first human beings from paradise.

Truth is still being distorted to suit selfish interests. Adverts reduce the infinite concept of happiness to a mere purchase, hence possession of such and such products stands as an example .

Mahatma Gandhi was right in saying that ?an error does not become truth as a result of multiple propagation nor does that truth becomes error because nobody sees it?.

This is a warning against insidious wrong influences like astrology for example. How can you logically believe that one?s destiny is ruled by stars and planets? Yet many people follow their horoscope daily.

Truth does not depend on the majority?s adhesion. Truth is wholesome, sometimes hard to face, but truth is truth whether you like it or not.

Now you might argue that some people not only escape from falsehood but even seem to benefit from it. Believe me, sooner or later, the mask falls. Truth resurfaces someday in the most unexpected way . I remember when I was your age, my uncle said that he who hides the truth while he is awake, will readily speak it out in his sleep!

So kids please be true to yourselves so you can be true to others.Always watch out for the truth,tell the truth and cherish the truth because it?s the cement of our humanity.You wont walk in obscurity when you live in harmony with truth .

<B>Alain Jeannot</B>