Quotessence
Home / Authors / Maimonides
Maimonides

Maimonides Quotes

Philosopher

Filter quotes by topic

AllMenEvilExistenceIfsBodyCausesWayDoeFormShouldCertainHumansDivineGivingIndividualKnownMayMindSubjectsWhole

Famous Maimonides Quotes

“Know that the difficulties which lead to confusion in the question what is the purpose of the Universe or of any of its parts, arise from two causes: first, man has an erroneous idea of himself, and believes that the whole world exists only for his sake; secondly, he is ignorant both about the nature of the sublunary world, and about the Creator's intention to give existence to all beings whose existence is possible, because existence is undoubtedly good.”

KnowsMenWorldGivingFirstsBelieveTwoIdeasWholePurposeUniverseCausesExistenceDifficultyIntentionSakeCreatorAriseWhole WorldIgnorantConfusion
Book:The Guide for the Perplexed
Create image

“It is not unreasonable to assume that the works of God, their existence and preceding non-existence, are the result of His wisdom, but we are unable to understand many of the ways of His Wisdom in His works. On this principle the whole Law of Moses is based; it begins with this principle: "And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good" (Gen. i. 31); and it ends with this principle: "The Rock, perfect is His work" (Deut. xxxii. 4). Note it.”

WayMadeEndsWholeLawPerfectResultsExistencePrinciplesSawsRocksAssumingNotesVery GoodMosesUnreasonableNon Existence
Book:The Guide for the Perplexed
Create image

“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
Create image