Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Anger can cloud our judgment and shift our focus from seeking truth to defending our own ego.
This quote suggests that when we engage in a controversy and allow ourselves to feel anger, we lose sight of the objective truth. Instead of remaining open-minded and seeking understanding, we become defensive and focus on our personal stake in the matter, which hinders genuine discussion and resolution. Heschel invites us to recognize the importance of emotional control in our pursuit of truth.
Themes
AngerTruthControversyEgoEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about climate change, it’s important to focus on facts rather than getting angry at opposing views.
More from Abraham Joshua Heschel
All quotes →Normal consciousness is a state of stupor, in which the sensibility to the wholly real and responsiveness to the stimuli of the spirit are reduced. The mystics, knowing that man is involved in a hidden history of the cosmos, endeavor to awake from the drowsiness and apathy and to regain the state of wakefulness for their enchanted souls.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
The worship of reason is arrogance and betrays a lack of intelligence. The rejection of reason is cowardice and betrays a lack of faith.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
We worship God through our questions.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
When religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
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