The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
Elie WieselRead
What does mysticism really mean? It means the way to attain knowledge. It's close to philosophy, except in philosophy you go horizontally while in mysticism you go vertically.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mysticism seeks knowledge through deep introspection and vertical insight, unlike the horizontal exploration of philosophy.
Elie Wiesel's quote distinguishes between mysticism and philosophy, suggesting that while philosophy analyzes knowledge through external exploration and logical reasoning (horizontally), mysticism entails a deeper, more introspective journey towards understanding and enlightenment (vertically). This highlights the contrasting methods of seeking truth and knowledge in human existence.
Themes
MysticismPhilosophyKnowledgeInsightEnlightenment
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on philosophy, this quote can illustrate the difference between philosophical inquiry and mystical understanding.
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.
Elie WieselRead
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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