Saturday, February 19, 2011

Simone Weil Speaks (1909 –1943)


A doctrine serves no purpose in itself, but it is indispensable to have one if only to avoid being deceived by false doctrines.


A hurtful act is the transference to others of the degradation which we bear in ourselves.


A mind enclosed in language is in prison.


A science which does not bring us nearer to God is worthless.


A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war.


A test of what is real is that it is hard and rough. Joys are found in it, not pleasure. What is pleasant belongs to dreams.

All sins are attempts to fill voids.


An atheist may be simply one whose faith and love are concentrated on the impersonal aspects of God.


As soon as men know that they can kill without fear of punishment or blame, they kill; or at least they encourage killers with approving smiles.


Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be attained only by someone who is detached.


Beauty always promises, but never gives anything.


Charity. To love human beings in so far as they are nothing. That is to love them as God does.


Culture is an instrument wielded by teachers to manufacture teachers, who, in their turn, will manufacture still more teachers.


Difficult as it is really to listen to someone in affliction, it is just as difficult for him to know that compassion is listening to him.


Equality is the public recognition, effectively expressed in institutions and manners, of the principle that an equal degree of attention is due to the needs of all human beings.


Every perfect life is a parable invented by God.


Every time that I think of the crucifixion of Christ, I commit the sin of envy.


Evil being the root of mystery, pain is the root of knowledge.


Evil, when we are in its power, is not felt as evil, but as a necessity, even a duty.


For when two beings who are not friends are near each other there is no meeting, and when friends are far apart there is no separation.

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