Chase after the truth like all hell.
Interpretation
Pursuing truth is a relentless and passionate endeavor.
This quote by Clarence Darrow highlights the importance of vigorously seeking the truth in all aspects of life. It suggests that truth should be pursued with fervor and dedication, much like an intense chase, emphasizing that understanding and justice are worth the effort and struggle that comes with it.
In practice
In a debate about ethics, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of honesty.
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?
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.
The time will come when all people will view with horror light way in which society and its courts of law now take human life; and when that time comes, the way will be clear to device some better method of dealing with poverty and ignorance and their frequent byproducts, which we call crime.
So I am not teaching you to be good, I am not teaching you to be bad; I am teaching you only to be whole. To be whole is to be healthy and to be healthy is to be holy.
Seek ye first the good things of the mind, and the rest will either be supplied or its loss will not be felt.
Suffering lets us see where are attachments are - and that helps us get free.
Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties.
I think it would be well, and proper, and obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it takes you.
Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist, more than Gauss.
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