Truth is not the same as belief
A person can strongly believe something false, while a true statement remains true even when nobody accepts it.
Claims attempt to describe reality
A factual claim is true when reality is as the claim says it is. Evidence does not create the truth, but helps people discover whether the claim matches reality.
Agreement does not guarantee truth
A society, institution or majority can share an incorrect belief. Popularity may explain confidence but does not establish accuracy.
Some truths depend upon definitions
Mathematical and logical conclusions can follow from agreed definitions and valid reasoning, while empirical claims require observation of the world.
Some statements express values rather than facts
Moral and aesthetic claims may involve reasons, interests and standards rather than simple physical observation. This does not make them meaningless, but their justification differs.
Uncertainty does not eliminate truth
Reality may have a definite state even when available evidence is incomplete. Honest reasoning separates what is true from how confident we should currently be.
Evidence notes
Assessment should distinguish the claim itself, the available evidence, alternative explanations, confidence level and whether the claim could be shown false by any possible observation.
Ethical questions
Can something be true even when nobody knows it?
Does usefulness make a claim true?
How should confidence differ from certainty?
Conclusion
For something to be true, it must accurately correspond to reality or follow validly from clearly stated premises. Belief, authority and usefulness may influence acceptance, but they do not by themselves determine truth.