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Maimonides

Maimonides Quotes

Philosopher

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Famous Maimonides Quotes

“Another fundamental principle taught by the Law of Moses is this: Wrong cannot be ascribed to God in any way whatever; all evils and afflictions as well as all kinds of happiness of man, whether they concern one individual or a community, are distributed according to justice; they are the result of strict judgement that admits no wrong whatever.”

MenWayWellsKindLawEvilIndividualCommunityJusticeResultsPrinciplesTaughtConcernFundamentalsAll KindsJudgementStrictAfflictionMosesFundamental Principles
Book:Guide for the perplexed
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“The error of the ignorant goes so far as to say that God's power is insufficient, because he has given to this Universe the properties which they imagine cause these great evils, and which do not help all evil-disposed persons to obtain the evil which they seek, and to bring their evil souls to the aim of their desires, though these, as we have shown, are really without limit.”

PersonsSoulHelpingDesireUniverseEvilGivenCausesImagineLimitsAimPropertyErrorsIgnorantInsufficient
Book:The Guide for the Perplexed
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“An ignorant man believes that the whole universe only exists for him: as if nothing else required any consideration. If, therefore, anything happens to him contrary to his expectation, he at once concludes that the whole universe is evil. If, however, he would take into consideration the whole universe, form an idea of it, and comprehend what a small portion he is of the Universe, he will find the truth. There are many ... passages in the books of the prophets expressing the same idea.”

IfsMenBelieveBookIdeasWholeHappensFormUniverseEvilExpectationsContraryThings HappenIgnorantProphetConsiderationPassagesPortions
Book:The Guide for the Perplexed
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“It is possible that the meaning of wisdom in Hebrew indicates aptitude for stratagems and the application of thought in such a way that the stratagems and ruses may be used in achieving either rational or moral virtues, or in achieving skill in a practical art, or in working evil and wickedness.”

WayMayArtUsedEvilMoralVirtueAchieveSkillsPracticalsRationalApplicationWickednessHebrewAptitudeStratagemMoral Virtues
Book:A Maimonides Reader
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“The third class of evils comprise those which everyone causes to himself by his own action. This is the largest class, and is far more numerous than the second class. It is especially of these evils that all men complain, - only few men are found that do not sin against themselves by this kind of evil. ...This class of evil originates in man's vices, such as excessive desire for eating, drinking, and love; indulgence in these things in undue measure, or in improper manner, or partaking of bad food. This course brings diseases and afflictions upon the body and soul alike.”

MenKindSoulBodyActionDesireCoursesEvilFoundCausesSinClassDiseaseEatingAnd LoveThirdsDrinkingVicesComplainingAfflictionIndulgenceBad Food
Author:Maimonides
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