Redress
Remaining silent, we
Expect peace. But
Decency dies when
Republics, for which we stand,
Excuse self while accusing others.
Seek first truth.
Spare no sacred cows.
redress (rih-DRESS)
Noun
- The correction or remedy of a wrong, injustice, or grievance.
- Compensation or relief for an injury or loss.
Verb
- To set right; to remedy or correct an injustice.
- To make amends for a wrong or injury.
Etymology: From Old French redrecier (“to set upright again”), from re- (“again”) + dresser (“to straighten, raise”). The original sense was literally to make something straight again, which later evolved into restoring justice or correcting a wrong.
A Final Thought on “Sacred Cows”
Before you go, I wanted to leave you with a quick note about a phrase I used earlier: “sacred cow.”
It’s a common English idiom for any belief, tradition, or institution that has become so familiar or cherished that we naturally hesitate to question it. While the expression has its roots in the reverence of cows in Hinduism, using the idiom today is not intended as a criticism of Hinduism or of religious faith.
I don’t use it to tear down meaningful convictions or to spark a crisis of faith. Quite the opposite.
Truth isn’t fragile. Honest questions and thoughtful reflection are not the enemies of what we hold dear. They are often the very tools that help us learn, refine our understanding, and hold onto what truly matters with greater confidence. Asking why doesn’t mean destroying what is good; it means caring enough to understand it more deeply.
So as you go about your day, I hope you’ll carry a little of that gentle curiosity with you. Don’t be afraid to ask good questions, examine your assumptions, and keep learning.
Thanks for reading. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.