Chase after the truth like all hell and you'll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat tails.
Interpretation
Pursuing truth passionately can lead to personal liberation, even if you never fully grasp it.
In this quote, Clarence Darrow emphasizes the importance of passionately seeking the truth. The journey itself towards understanding and uncovering truth can lead to personal freedom and enlightenment, even if the complete truth remains elusive, suggesting that the act of searching is valuable in itself.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a discussion on the importance of seeking knowledge.
With all their faults, trade unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. They have done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in men, than any other association of men.
Do I need to argue to Your Honor that cruelty only breeds cruelty? That hatred only causes hatred; that if there is any way to soften this human heart which is hard enough at its best, if there is any way to kill evil and hatred and all that goes with it, it is not through evil and hatred and cruelty; it is through charity, and love, and understanding?
Chase after the truth like all hell.
No other offense has ever been visited with such severe penalties as seeking to help the oppressed.
Liberty is the most jealous and exacting mistress that can beguile the brain and soul of man. She will have nothing from him who will not give her all. She knows that his pretended love serves but to betray. But when once the fierce heat of her quenchless, lustrous eyes have burned into the victim's heart, he will know no other smile but hers.
The trouble with law is lawyers.
To preach the gospel is to stae every doctrine contained in God's word, and to give every truth its proper prominence.
Take advantage of the ambiguity in the world. Look at something and think what else it might be.
Your problem is you're... too busy holding onto your unworthiness.
Intense, unexpected suffering passes more quickly than suffering that is apparently bearable; the latter goes on for years and, without our noticing, eats away at our souls, until, one day, we are no longer able to free ourselves from the bitterness and it stays with us for the rest of our lives.
Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater.
I followed my heart without breaking any rules.
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