“What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of one's knowledge, and what is to be their end? What can be more deeply disheartening than to wonder whether one's soul is, perhaps, a material thing, like a stone or a reptile, corruptible like these base creatures? Is there not more strength and greatness of mind in admitting the idea of a being superior to all other beings, who has made them all and to whom all owe their existence; of a being supremely perfect, who is pure, who had no beginning and can have no ending, of whom our soul is the image and, so to speak, a portion, being a spiritual and immortal thing?” IfsMenMindMayDoeMadeIdeasSoulEndsAbleSpiritualPerfectDoubtSubjectsMaterialsPureProveCreaturesAll ThingsStonesCorruptionSuperiorsImmortalDiscouragingGrandeurStrength Of MindReptiles Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“Faith is from within; it is the outbreaking of human spontaneity; it is force of soul, grandeur of sentiment, magnanimity, generosity, courage. Its formulas are naturally unintelligible in their literal tenor; for, otherwise, they would represent that which is scientifically known, and would not be the mere provisional clothing of that which is not objectively given, but subjectively projected from the inmost depth of the soul.” HumansSoulGivenForceKnownMereDepthGenerositySentimentsFormulasClothingsSpontaneityGrandeurLiteralTenorsMagnanimity Book:The Blazing Star Source: The Blazing Star
“There is a kind of grandeur and respect which the meanest and most insignificant part of mankind endeavor to procure in the little circle of their friends and acquaintance. The poorest mechanic, nay, the man who lives upon common alms, gets him his set of admirers, and delights in that superiority which he enjoys over those who are in some respects beneath him. This ambition, which is natural to the soul of man, might, methinks, receive a very happy turn; and, if it were rightly directed, contribute as much to a person's advantage, as it generally does to his uneasiness and disquiet.” IfsMenKindLittlesPersonsDoeSoulMightTurnsEnjoyNaturalCommonMankindHe ManAmbitionAdvantageDelightCirclesEndeavorSuperiorityVery HappyMechanicInsignificantAcquaintanceGrandeurPoorestAdmirerAlmsUneasiness Book:The spectator Source: The spectator
“It seems to me that we become more dear one to the other, in together admiring works of art, which speak to the soul by their true grandeur.” ArtSoulSeemsTogetherSpeakDearWorks Of ArtSympathyGrandeurAdmiringDear Ones Author:Madame de Stael