"Si vous voulez être un vrai chercheur de vérité, il est nécessaire qu'au moins une fois dans votre vie vous doutiez, autant que possible, de toutes choses"

The essence of this quote is pretty straightforward: to truly seek truth, you’ve got to be willing to question everything. Think of it like cleaning out an old closet. You take out all the stuff, lay it out, and decide what’s worth keeping. Same with your beliefs—examining them critically helps you understand what’s genuinely true.

Historically, this idea traces back to René Descartes, the French philosopher. In the 17th century, Descartes was grappling with skepticism and trying to find a foundation for certain knowledge. He realized that by doubting everything, he could strip away false beliefs and find what was undeniably true. Descartes famously concluded with “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am), meaning that the act of doubting itself proved his own existence.

Imagine you’re a detective working on a tough case. Nothing seems to add up. Every clue contradicts the others. To crack it, you’ve got to doubt everything—your assumptions, the witness testimonies, even the evidence. Only by questioning all of it can you piece together the real story. It’s not comfortable, but it’s crucial.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start small. Pick something you believe strongly—maybe it’s a political stance or a health tip you swear by. Dive into it. Read opinions and studies that contradict your belief. Talk to someone who sees it differently. Feel the discomfort and push through it. You might find your belief was spot on, but you’ll understand it more deeply and robustly. Or, you might realize you were wrong and learn something new.

Let’s say you’ve always believed that "money can’t buy happiness." It’s a common saying, but is it true? Try doubting it. Look into research on happiness and wealth. You’ll find studies showing that up to a certain point, money can improve well-being by reducing stress and enabling experiences. But beyond that, it doesn’t add much to happiness. By doubting, you don’t end up with a simple yes or no answer. Instead, you get a nuanced understanding.

Now, picture this: your friend Sarah is convinced that her career path is the only right one because it’s what her parents always pushed for. She’s never really questioned it. One day, she starts doubting—she asks herself if she’s truly passionate about her job or if she’s just following a script. She tries different hobbies, talks to professionals in other fields, and even takes a short course in something entirely different. Eventually, she finds that her passion lies in a completely different area. This doubt, uncomfortable and scary, frees her to pursue a career that genuinely excites her.

In everyday life, we often accept things as they are without questioning them. But if you want to be a real seeker of truth, don’t shy away from doubt. Embrace it. It’s like peeling an onion—you remove layer after layer until you get to the core. Sure, it might make you tear up a bit, but in the end, you’ve got something raw and real.

So next time you feel absolutely certain about something, pause. Ask questions. Seek out opposing views. Put your belief under the microscope. You’ll come out with a clearer, stronger grasp of the truth—or maybe a completely new perspective. Either way, you’re growing. And that’s what seeking truth is all about.