One's life has value 

so long as one attributes value to the life of others, 

by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.

I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties 

through my love for truth

 — and truth rewarded me.

Defending the truth 

is not something one does 

out of a sense of duty 

or to allay guilt complexes, 

but is a reward in itself.