If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
Interpretation
This quote highlights the insignificance of humanity in the vast universe.
Maimonides reflects on the relative scale of human existence in comparison to the vastness of the universe. By illustrating how the Earth is minuscule compared to the vast sphere populated by the stars, he encourages a humble perspective on our place in the cosmos and suggests that our concerns may be trivial when viewed against such grandeur.
In practice
During a lecture on existentialism, one might use this quote to illustrate humanity's search for meaning in an indifferent universe.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
Further, there are things of which the mind understands one part, but remains ignorant of the other; and when man is able to comprehend certain things, it does not follow that he must be able to comprehend everything.
It is impossible to found a civilization on fear and hatred and cruelty. It would never endure.' 'Why not?' 'It would have no vitality. It would disintegrate. It would commit suicide.
A civilization is a heritage of beliefs, customs, and knowledge slowly accumulated in the course of centuries, elements difficult at times to justify by logic, but justifying themselves as paths when they lead somewhere, since they open up for man his inner distance.
Oftentimes I deliberately put ambiguity into my books so that... the reader is left with an echo of: 'How much of this was from me?'
The impressions of the spriritual experiences gave my future life its form and content.
Being a Christian is more like having your soul possessed by a spirit than having your mind clothed with new beliefs... It is like being haunted by the Holy Ghost.
If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
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