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Etty Hillesum Quotes

Woman of letters

Etty Hillesum was a Dutch writer and diarist, born on January 15, 1914, and died on November 30, 1943. Her works are known for their profound personal insights and philosophical reflections on human existence.

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All Ifs Peace World Sometimes Enough Hate Moments Prayer Suffering Thinking Able Acceptance Energy Feels Fighting Giving Humans Life Is Love People

Famous Etty Hillesum Quotes

“Each of us must turn inward and destroy in himself all that he thinks he ought to destroy in others.”

Thinking Turns Ought Inward

Book:Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

Source: Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

“I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength.”

People Thinking Energy Fear Strength

Book:Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

Source: Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

“It is the only thing we can do. Each of us must turn inward and destroy in himself all that he thinks he ought to destroy in others. And remember that every atom of hate that we add to this world makes it sill more inhospitable”

Thinking World Remember Hate Turns Can Do Healing This World Ought Add Atoms Inward

Book:Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

Source: Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

“Thinking gets you nowhere. It may be a fine and noble aid in academic studies, but you can't think your way out of emotional difficulties. That takes something altogether different. You have to make yourself passive then, and just listen. Re-establish contact with a slice of eternity.”

Thinking Way May Different Study Emotional Fine Eternity Difficulty Noble Aids Contact Academic Passive Just Listen

Book:An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

Source: An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

“I don't think I have nerves of steel, far from it, but I can certainly stand up to things. I am not afraid to look suffering straight in the eyes.”

Thinking Looks I Can Eye Suffering Nerves Not Afraid Steel

Book:Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

Source: Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943

About the Author

Born: January 15, 1914
Died: November 30, 1943
Known for: Woman of letters
Quotes: 80

Books & Sources

Etty: The Letters and Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943Related source material

An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943Related source material

An Interrupted Life: The Diaries, 1941-1943; and Letters from WesterborkRelated source material

Diario 1941-1943Related source material

Etty Hillesum: An Interrupted Life and Letters from WesterborkRelated source material

Letters from WesterborkRelated source material

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