We're Apt To Believe What We Desire To Be True

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 27 August 2025 John Dyden month is going on in a few literary clubs in Poona. While it's almost certain that the great intellectual poet was born in August, the exact date is open to speculation. According to The Anthology of English Poets, Dryden was most probably born on August 27. That shouldn't be a great issue as great poets and literary giants are for all days, months, years and ages. A few quotes of the legendary poets have become like aphorisms and maxims. Reading Dryden and also Alexander Pope, a perceptive reader is reminded of Brahthari's Neeti Shatak and Rahim's Neetiparak Dohe. The endearingly didactic nature of Dryden or Pope's poetry enables the readers to relate quickly to the themes, subjects, issues and ideas. In short, it's interesting as well as profoundly meaningful. Dryden was never prosaic or vapid. The following quote will prove this: " You see through love, and that deludes your sight, As what is straight seems crooked through the water." In his quote, John Dryden illuminates the deceptive nature of love, suggesting that it has the power to distort our perception of reality. Love, being an intense and all-consuming emotion, often influences our judgment and blinds us to the truth. Dryden compares this effect to the way objects appear distorted when seen through water, where what is straight may appear crooked. Love, much like water, creates a lens through which we view the world, altering our perspective and causing us to see things in a different light. In this context, Dryden highlights the transformative power of love, cautioning against its ability to cloud our judgment and lead us astray. Dryden's discernment is worth-noting and appreciating in this fascinating observation. Or, this one: Beware the fury of a patient man. Dryden highlights the extraordinary power and intensity that lies within a calm and collected individual. This simple yet profound statement suggests that one should not underestimate the potential rage that may manifest in someone who has been pushed beyond their limits. While patience is typically associated with serenity and self-control, Dryden warns that an individual's resilience and ability to endure can eventually reach a breaking point. The quote serves as a reminder to never provoke or underestimate a patient man, as it is when their fury is unleashed that the depth of their wrath becomes truly formidable. Persian adage, Tang-aamad, ba-jang-aamad, تنگ آمَد بَجَنْگ آمَد roughly sums it up. This one will get you thinking and you'll surely agree with him that, " We are apt to believe what we desire to be true." The quote by John Dryden, "We are apt to believe what we desire to be true," delves into a fundamental aspect of human nature that often leads to biased thinking and the formation of subjective beliefs. As individuals, we are prone to idealizing certain outcomes or opinions that align with our desires, hopes, or preconceived notions. This inclination often leads us to interpret information and evidence selectively, filtering out any contradictory facts or alternative viewpoints. Consequently, our beliefs become influenced by our desires rather than objective reality. Dryden's quote serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and openness to different perspectives, urging us to recognize our inherent bias in order to seek the truth beyond our personal desires. This one from Dryden is so apt: They first condemn what they do not understand. John Dryden's quote "They first condemn what they do not understand" captures a universal truth about human behavior. It exposes a tendency for people to rush to judgment, often criticizing or rejecting things that are unfamiliar or beyond their comprehension. This quote serves as a reminder that our initial reaction to something new or different may be rooted in fear or ignorance. It encourages us to approach unfamiliar ideas or experiences with an open mind and seek to understand them before forming conclusions. Remember, history in the making is always persecuted by the people. Dryden's astute observation highlights the importance of embracing knowledge and empathy, in order to foster a more inclusive and tolerant society. My personal favourite is Dryden's, " I am as free as Nature first made man, Ere the base laws of servitude began." In his famous quote, John Dryden conveys his belief in the inherent freedom of mankind. He asserts that he is just as free as human nature originally intended before the oppressive laws of servitude came into existence. Dryden celebrates the unfettered liberty that characterized early humanity, before the advent of societal structures that sought to restrict individuals. With this statement, Dryden celebrates the natural state of man, emphasizing the limitless potential and unrestricted autonomy that humans possess in their natural form. He expresses a longing for a time when human beings were free from the constraints imposed by society, where individuals enjoyed complete freedom and liberation. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. 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