The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
Elie WieselRead
The Bible is not only laws, it's also stories. It begins, 'In the beginning God created Heaven.' If I had written these words, I wouldn't have written anything else; it's just enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that the Bible contains both laws and rich narratives, highlighting the significance of its creation story.
Elie Wiesel reflects on the profound nature of the Bible, pointing out that it is not merely a set of laws but also a collection of stories that convey deep truths about existence and creation. The phrase 'In the beginning God created Heaven' holds immense weight for Wiesel, suggesting that the act of creation itself carries sufficient meaning, encapsulating the essence of faith and humanity's relationship with the divine. By recognizing the narrative aspect of religious texts, Wiesel invites us to appreciate both the moral guidance and the timeless stories that shape our understanding of life.
Themes
BibleStoriesCreationFaithPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the importance of narratives in teaching moral lessons.
More from Elie Wiesel
All quotes →With every cell of my being and with every fiber of my memory I oppose the death penalty in all forms. I do not believe any civilized society should be at the service of death. I don't think it's human to become an agent of the angel of death.
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Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
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We're alone, but we are capable of communicating to one another both our loneliness and our desire to break through it. You say, 'I'm alone.' Someone answers, 'I'm alone too.' There's a shift in the scale of power. A bridge is thrown between the two abysses.
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No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has escaped the kingdom of night.
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My loyalty to my people, to our people, and to Israel comes first and prevents me from saying anything critical of Israel outside Israel… As a Jew I see my role as a melitz yosher, a defender of Israel: I defend even her mistakes… I must identify with whatever Israel does – even with her errors.
Elie WieselRead
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