Maimonides Quotes

Philosopher

Maimonides, born on March 30, 1135 and died on December 12, 1204, was a Jewish philosopher, physician, and legal scholar. He is renowned for his contributions to philosophy, medicine, and Jewish law.

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All Men Evil Existence Ifs Body Causes Way Doe Form Should Certain Humans Divine Giving Individual Known May Mind Subjects Whole

Famous Maimonides Quotes

“The so-called evils are evils only in relation to a certain thing, and that which is evil in relation to a certain existing thing, either includes the non-existence of that thing or the non-existence of some of its good conditions.”

Certain Evil Existence Conditions Relation Non Existence

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“The philosophers likewise assume that in Nature there is nothing in vain, so that everything that is not the product of human industry serves a certain purpose, which may be known or unknown to us.”

Humans May Purpose Certain Known Products Industry Assuming Philosopher Vain

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“The soul, when accustomed to superfluous things, acquires a strong habit of desiring things which are neither necessary for the preservation of the individual nor for that of the species. This desire is without limit, whilst those which are necessary are few in number and restricted within certain limits; but what is superfluous is without end.”

Soul Ends Desire Certain Individual Strong Numbers Habit Limits Species Acquire Preservation Accustomed Superfluous

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“Those who believe that... detailed rules originate in a certain cause, are as far from the truth as those who assume that the whole law is useless.”

Believe Whole Law Certain Causes Assuming Useless

Book:Guide for the perplexed

Source: Guide for the perplexed

“Know that for the human mind there are certain objects of perception which are within the scope of its nature and capacity; on the other hand, there are, amongst things which actually exist, certain objects which the mind can in no way and by no means grasp: the gates of perception are closed against it.”

Knows Way Mind Humans Mean Hands Certain Objects Perception Capacity Gates Human Mind Scope

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“This must be our belief when we have a correct knowledge of our own self, and comprehend the true nature of everything; we must be content, and not trouble our mind with seeking a certain final cause for things that have none, or have no other final cause but their own existence, which depends on the Will of God, or, if you prefer, on the Divine Wisdom.”

Ifs Mind Self Certain Belief Causes Existence Trouble Divine Depends Finals Seeking Gods Will True Nature Divine Wisdom

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“While one man can discover a certain thing by himself, another is never able to understand it, even if taught by means of all possible expressions and metaphors, and during a long period; his mind can in no way grasp it, his capacity is insufficient for it.”

Ifs Men Way Mind Mean Long Able Certain Taught Expression Periods Capacity Metaphor One Man Insufficient

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“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.”

Men Mind Doe Able Certain Remains Ignorant

Book:The Guide for the Perplexed

Source: The Guide for the Perplexed

“All the evils that men cause to each other because of certain desires, or opinions or religious principles, are rooted in ignorance. [All hatred would come to an end] when the earth was flooded with the knowledge of God.”

Men Ends Earth Desire Certain Evil Causes Religious Opinion Principles Ignorance Hatred Rooted Knowledge Of God

Author:Maimonides

About the Author

Born: March 30, 1135
Died: December 12, 1204
Known for: Philosopher
Quotes: 152

Books & Sources

The Guide for the PerplexedRelated source material

Guide for the perplexedRelated source material

A Maimonides ReaderRelated source material

The Guide of the PerplexedRelated source material

Moses Maimonides' Treatise on AsthmaRelated source material

The Wisdom of Moses MaimonidesRelated source material

Ethical Writings of MaimonidesRelated source material

Moses Maimonides: RambamRelated source material

The Preservation of Youth: Essays on HealthRelated source material

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