Faith consists in being vitally concerned with that ultimate reality to which I give the symbolical name of God. Whoever reflects earnestly on the meaning of life is on the verge of an act of faith.
Paul TillichRead
Man's ultimate concern must be expressed symbolically, because symbolic language alone is able to express the ultimate.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Symbolic language is essential for expressing deep and ultimate concerns of humanity.
In this quote, Paul Tillich suggests that the most profound aspects of human existence, such as ultimate concerns or existential questions, cannot be fully articulated in straightforward language. Instead, they require symbolic representations that can convey deeper meanings and emotions, as symbols resonate with human experiences and beliefs in a way that conventional words may not.
Themes
Symbolic LanguageUltimate ConcernsExpressionMeaningExistence
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about the importance of art in expressing complex emotions.
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