In the both cases, the burden is on the one who seeks the truth. The notion that man, somehow, is unable or lacks the tools to induce the truth based on facts is a cynical one.

Perhaps, a more positive interpretation may be drawn from Tagore’s statement. While it is “easy” to find the facts, it is almost always “difficult” to put them together to describe the story.

A better example would be of a detective, trying to solve a crime. He/she gathers evidence, that points to clues, which lead to observed facts. A collection of those facts in and of itself is merely the “file” of that investigation. But it is the intellect, (or insight, intuition, expertise, art, science, call it what you may) of the investigator which puts two and two together to discover the “one” solution. Naturally, because it is so hard to discover the “one” truth, mistakes can be made – but thats besides the point.

Tagore’s point is that despite the complexity of facts, (sometimes contradictory), one should always strive to seek the truth among them. Implicit in his statement is that, for when you find the one truth, you shall cherish the journey that brought you there.

A fact by definition is proven. The sun is a fact. Are we saying then that the collection of all facts then becomes the one truth? But even facts are only a matter of perception – if everyone on earth was blind the sun would be no more a fact that the Unicorn. A blind man believes the sun to exist because the sighted man tells him so. The so-called one-truth then is a matter of belief is it not? I don’t know what it is but I have to believe that Tagore know what he’s talking about! Is this truth?

A fact on the other hand is something believed to be true or real, but it need not be the truth until you can prove it to be true.