Hardly hidden, it is we, the people, open persuaders that we are, who are the true creators of our symbolic folklore. If our symbols are superficial, it is because this is an age of appearances where trappings are more esteemed than contents. Trappings can be seen at a glance while contents require digging. And digging requires time. If our symbols are prostituted, if they sleep around, it is we who have prostituted them by our preoccupation with tinseled sociability that is full of temporary purpose but devoid of long-term reason. Inevitably, as Plato predicted, "What is honored in a country will be cultivated there."