Tree, Truth
Tree roots deep in earth
Each year a new ring of truth
Rings of memory.
The words tree and truth share a common origin in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) drew-o and the PIE root deru (be firm, solid, steadfast).
Tree
PIE drew-o and deru are the source of Proto-Germanic trewam (the source of other words such as Old Saxon trio, Old Norse tre, Gothic triu—all meaning tree). The English word tree is from Old English treo, treow and Middle English tre.
In Old English, treo (tree) + wryhta (worker, wright) = a treowryhta (tree wright); i.e., a carpenter. Wryhta also is the source of many other words such as cartwright, millwright, playwright, wainright, wheelwright, and others.
Truth, true
Similarly, PIE drew-o and deru are also the source of Proto-Germanic treuwaz (having or characterized by good faith). Related words include troth, truce, trust.
The English word truth is from West Saxon treowth, Old English triewth, and Middle English treuth, truth—all meaning faith, faithfulness; fidelity to country, kin, friends; loyalty; disposition to be faithful; veracity, quality of being true; pledge, covenant.
In brief, these origins would suggest that truth (or faith) is a way of being or something that we ‘do’, not just something that we ‘have’.
In contrast, the sense of truth as ‘something that is true’ or as a ‘true statement or proposition’ is from the mid-14th century. By the late 14th century truth was understood as “that which is righteous or in accordance with divine standard; true religious doctrine; virtuous conduct” (Online Etymological Dictionary). True meaning accuracy, correctness, or conformity of thought with fact is from the 1560s. By this time, truth was something that was in your ‘head’ in contrast to a way of being as was experienced in earlier times.
Note that in English there is no verb ‘to truth’. We don’t say, “They truthed” even though we do say, “They lied.”
Trees as a metaphor for truth?!
A tree begins as a seed and a sapling. Over the years, it grows and branches out. Each fall, the leaves drop and each spring the leaves return. After many years, the mature tree bears little resemblance to the young sapling—even though it is the same tree—similar to how a child grows into an adult.
Like a tree, our sense and knowledge of what is true grows and matures as we grow older.
Could we say that truth grows in each person in a similar fashion just as our knowledge grows? As a tree ages, each year the tree trunk grows another ring. Similarly, does a person grow new rings of truth and knowledge as they age?!
Our perception and sense of truth, like the growth of a tree, grows—like the tree, our truth is not static but organic.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Each year a new ring of truth
Rings of memory.
The words tree and truth share a common origin in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) drew-o and the PIE root deru (be firm, solid, steadfast).
Tree
PIE drew-o and deru are the source of Proto-Germanic trewam (the source of other words such as Old Saxon trio, Old Norse tre, Gothic triu—all meaning tree). The English word tree is from Old English treo, treow and Middle English tre.
In Old English, treo (tree) + wryhta (worker, wright) = a treowryhta (tree wright); i.e., a carpenter. Wryhta also is the source of many other words such as cartwright, millwright, playwright, wainright, wheelwright, and others.
Truth, true
Similarly, PIE drew-o and deru are also the source of Proto-Germanic treuwaz (having or characterized by good faith). Related words include troth, truce, trust.
The English word truth is from West Saxon treowth, Old English triewth, and Middle English treuth, truth—all meaning faith, faithfulness; fidelity to country, kin, friends; loyalty; disposition to be faithful; veracity, quality of being true; pledge, covenant.
In brief, these origins would suggest that truth (or faith) is a way of being or something that we ‘do’, not just something that we ‘have’.
In contrast, the sense of truth as ‘something that is true’ or as a ‘true statement or proposition’ is from the mid-14th century. By the late 14th century truth was understood as “that which is righteous or in accordance with divine standard; true religious doctrine; virtuous conduct” (Online Etymological Dictionary). True meaning accuracy, correctness, or conformity of thought with fact is from the 1560s. By this time, truth was something that was in your ‘head’ in contrast to a way of being as was experienced in earlier times.
Note that in English there is no verb ‘to truth’. We don’t say, “They truthed” even though we do say, “They lied.”
Trees as a metaphor for truth?!
A tree begins as a seed and a sapling. Over the years, it grows and branches out. Each fall, the leaves drop and each spring the leaves return. After many years, the mature tree bears little resemblance to the young sapling—even though it is the same tree—similar to how a child grows into an adult.
Like a tree, our sense and knowledge of what is true grows and matures as we grow older.
Could we say that truth grows in each person in a similar fashion just as our knowledge grows? As a tree ages, each year the tree trunk grows another ring. Similarly, does a person grow new rings of truth and knowledge as they age?!
Our perception and sense of truth, like the growth of a tree, grows—like the tree, our truth is not static but organic.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
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