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Letter
to a Friend
A Passion for the Truth
My Dear Friend,
Salve Maria!
I read your letter with much interest.
However, I must confess that I smiled at reading of
your desire to be just like me. In all sincerity, let
me tell you that it would profit you very little; and
when I say this, you must believe that it is only because
I wish the best for you that I do not wish you do become
my carbon copy.
God in His wisdom created each of us
with a unique personality, and every man is called by
God to realize his particular perfection. You must be
faithful to the truth within you. It is only when each
of us is faithful to the truth within ourselves that
we can attain the greater truth within all.
Philosophers and writers abound, yet
there is only one factor that justifies the existence
of one and the other: a passion for the truth. Without
this passion, philosophies and books are mere vanities,
perilous vanities that enkindle fire on earth and add
fuel to the fire of hell.
Because of our fallen nature, we find
it difficult to surrender our worldly desires for the
sake of the transcendent truth. Yet the man whose sole
desire is to seek the truth renounces his own ideas
without the slightest reservation. He willingly abandons
the most intimate intuitions, the most intriguing contemplations,
the most seductive theories, and the most ingenious
systems, for the sake of upholding the truth. He will
sacrifice the most exquisite aesthetic creations and
the most uplifting intellectual conclusions and, ultimately,
the most persuasive formulations in order to pursue
the truth, unadorned and unadulterated. In sum, he prefers
truth to career, fortune, fame, and even reputation.
Truth, never much liked, is hated in
our day. And why? Because truth is unchangeable, while
man loves the endless spectacle of appearances. Truth
is timeless, while man follows the fashion of the moment.
Truth calls us to sacrifice, while we prefer to pursue
pleasure. In short, truth is serious; while man is frivolous.
Truth is strong; man is weak.
Accordingly, the man who loves truth
is hated by the world. He will be persecuted by those
who would prostitute truth in order to satisfy their
base appetites. While those men climb the ladder of
literary fame and philosophical renown, the lover of
truth may remain silent, awaiting the right opportunity
to defend and proclaim the truth.
You might say that rather than depicting
the pursuit of philosophy, I am describing to you the
path to sanctity, and you are right. I simply wish to
point out that for those called to philosophical studies,
spiritual perfection is rooted in a passion for truth.
As Catholics, we know that truth is not only an epistemological
or metaphysical question, but it is, above all, the
Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, the Word of
God made flesh for our salvation.
We may now address the questions you
raised in your last letter.
The intellectual life is intimately
connected to the spiritual. There should be no division
between your intellectual and spiritual life. Seek always
to do God’s will and don’t worry about the
future. Conscientiously fulfill the duties God has given
you and trust in His Providence, for God is faithful
to those who serve Him.
Nevertheless, it is very true that
God often tests our confidence. When He does, do not
deceive yourself into believing that God has abandoned
you. It is when all seems lost that the way out is closest
at hand.
Of course, you should not lose sight
of the fact that this world is not your lasting home.
Your true home lies in the world to come and is eternal.
Accordingly, do not expect pat answers to every problem.
Live by faith and place your confidence in God alone.
Let your model of Christian life be Saint Peter walking
by faith on the stormy seas and do not sink beneath
the waves of despair.
Just as there should be no division
between your intellectual and spiritual life, there
should be no discord between your thoughts and actions.
Philosophy should not be treated as though it were a
geometric theorem. In other words, the philosopher cannot
place himself outside philosophy and view it with detachment.
On the contrary, his life and destiny as well as the
future of mankind are intimately joined in the course
of philosophical questions.
It is not sufficient for a philosopher
to develop his intellect. He must also cultivate a rich
and vigorous personality to better reflect the abundance
of life. To broaden your vision and strengthen your
personality, you should enrich your spirit through literary
classics that express fundamental characteristics of
the human soul. Virgil, Dante, Shakespeare, the French
classics — their imperfections aside — ennoble
men through the inspiration of their magnificence.
You need not make a systematic study.
Rather, choose the works you find most to your liking.
Vary them. If you prefer reading a passage from one
masterpiece today and a selection from another great
work tomorrow — only make sure that you read them
in their original. Follow the same path in contemplating
great art and appreciating the music of the great masters,
such as Bach or Handel.
As for your philosophical studies,
I can well appreciate your dissatisfaction with certain
contemporary authors who pass themselves off as Thomists.
Since they are neither authentic Thomists nor genuine
philosophers, the best thing to do is to put their writings
aside. They will only confuse your spirit and lead you
down dangerous paths.
As far as Maritain is concerned, he
is but a vulgarizer whose literary flourishes are poor
substitutes for serious substance. His disciples’
superficial mentalities seem easily satisfied with metaphysical
musings that fail to stand up to rigorous analysis.
I must confess that when I was your age I allowed myself
to be seduced by his style as well. God, however, helped
me to see with time, the hidden venom.
Go directly to the source. Familiarize
yourself with the writings of Saint Thomas. Do not be
afraid; the Angelic Doctor is clearer than his commentators.
Everything depends on getting used to his style and,
what is more important, his discipline. This, however,
will not be difficult, as long as you apply yourself
with diligence and humility.
To begin, I recommend Prima in the
Summa and De Veritate. In Prima, put aside questions
2, 23, and 24. As for De Veritate, do not go beyond
the third question. At the beginning , do not pursue
a systematic study, but follow the same course as for
literature, art, and music. If a text exceeds your understanding,
seek another that is within your grasp.
Remember that we are not yet learning
Saint Thomas, but simply becoming familiar with his
way of thinking. To this end, reflection is worth more
than reading. Seek as much as possible to resolve problems
yourself rather than seek prepackaged solutions. Above
all, adhere to the text of Saint Thomas for the time
being and forego his commentators’ notes.
Above all, bear in mind that the true
philosopher nourishes his thoughts with spiritual wisdom.
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, complemented
by the Imitation of Christ, provides a solid foundation.
Again, read only the text — the original text —
and avoid the commentaries. Also, as Catholic piety
is fundamentally Marian, have at hand the excellent
works of Saint Louis de Montfort — all of them,
if possible.
Having asked God to enlighten me before
undertaking a task of such responsibility, I have endeavored
to address the questions and problems you posed as best
I could. You will certainly find many deficiencies in
my response, but I am certain that God will compensate
for them if you have recourse to Him.
Above all, be calm and at peace. I
sensed a certain agitation in your letter. Strive not
to trouble yourself. Nervousness is the murky water
in which the devil does his fishing. He is a master
at irritating nerves and tormenting consciences by means
of the imagination, suggestion, provocation, afflicting
the body with physical sensations of uneasiness, insecurity,
anguish, repugnance, rapid heartbeat, and much more.
Do not allow any of this to cause you to despair. Look
ahead into the merciful Hearts of Jesus and Mary and
walk forward over the stormy seas of life with faith
and confidence. Be assured that you shall not sink beneath
the waves!
Call on me at any time in any need.
And please be so kind as to remember me in your prayers.
Yours in Jesus and Mary,
Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
[This letter has been translated
and condensed from the personal correspondence of the
author.]
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