The
Harmony of Knowledge, Numbers, and Truth
A Research Work
By Mabelle Prior, Doctor of Arts in Journalism, Published Author
Preface
This research work was written in the spirit of respect, harmony, and balance. It is not merely an academic exploration, but also a dialogue between cultures, sciences, and philosophies. The Eweawo (Ewe people) of West Africa teach through proverbs that wisdom is not found in arrogance, but in humility, and not in novelty alone, but in continuity. The work brings together old knowledge and new, the role of women and spirituality, and the harmony of numbers as symbols of order and truth. The aim is to show that respect for all these dimensions, tradition, truth, gender, and mathematics, is the foundation of wisdom in a world filled with noise. May this writing serve as a bridge between the seen and unseen, between the ancient and the modern, between reason and reverence.
Abstract
This research work explores the tension between new and old knowledge, the enduring role of women and spirituality, and the symbolic harmony of numbers. Drawing from history, science, cultural studies, and philosophy, it argues that wisdom lies not in arrogance but in respect—for truth, for tradition, and for the structures that sustain human progress. Numbers, once feared or dismissed, become symbols of balance and completion. Zero, the mother of all numbers, embodies the paradox of nothingness and infinite potential. Respecting these truths offers a path to harmony in an age of noise.
Introduction: The Intoxication of New Knowledge
New knowledge often makes people behave like drunkards, eager to proclaim it to the world. We see it daily on social media: a discovery, a theory, or a so-called final truth is shouted with confidence. Yet history shows that early enthusiasm often masks arrogance, while time-tested wisdom endures. Among the Ewe people (Eweawo) of West Africa, whose communities span southeastern Ghana, southern Togo, and southwestern Benin, wisdom is preserved and transmitted through proverbs. The Ewe language is rich with layered sayings that convey philosophy, moral instruction, and historical memory. These proverbs remind us that truth is not defined by novelty but by depth and continuity, grounding human progress in respect for what has endured.
Old Knowledge: Dismissed, Yet Enduring
From ancient medicine to Newton’s mechanics, old knowledge continues to serve humanity. Traditional practices like acupuncture and herbal treatments survived for thousands of years because of observable results. Modern pharmaceuticals often refine, but rarely erase, these ancient methods. Even today, Newtonian physics is used in engineering and navigation, despite being surpassed in theory by relativity. An Ewe proverb says: “Ege medoa xoxo na adawa o.” (The beard cannot be older than the eyelash, even if it grows longer.) This wisdom reminds us that new knowledge may appear more prominent, yet it cannot precede the foundational truths that came before it. Old wisdom remains the eyelash, closest to the eye of truth, while new growth must respect its roots.
The Humility of Not Knowing
Science itself admits its limits. Cosmology acknowledges that 95 percent of the universe consists of dark matter and dark energy, still unexplained. Quantum research shows uncertainty is built into the very structure of reality. Humility in the face of the unknown is not weakness, it is the engine of discovery. An Ewe proverb says: “Meli xoxo kple meva xoxo mesor o.” (I am here since time immemorial, and I have also arrived, is not the same.) This proverb emphasizes the humility required to distinguish enduring truth from recent arrival. Old knowledge carries the weight of time, while new ideas must earn their place within it.
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Author's Biography
Mabelle Prior, Doctor of Arts in Journalism, is a seasoned journalist, published author, and media executive with an illustrious career dedicated to amplifying voices and promoting human rights. She began her pioneering journey in broadcast journalism at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation's Volta Star Radio in Ho, where she hosted programs advancing women's and children's rights. In the early 2000s, she worked at Canal 3 FM Dialogue in Switzerland and became a respected advocate for women's rights, eventually appearing on the cover of the Swiss newspaper Bieler Tagblatt for her activism. She also played a key role as a pioneer member of the Federative Committee of Women in Switzerland, championing inclusivity and empowerment. Mabelle is the founder of Swiss Most Beautiful, a platform celebrating beauty, culture, and diversity. Today, she continues her work as a media executive and news analyst, blending journalism with advocacy to spotlight social justice, gender equity, and African development. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to truth, respect, and harmony.