It is dangerous to take human freedom for granted, to regard it as a prerogative rather than as an obligation, as an ultimate fact rather than as an ultimate goal.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELIt is dangerous to take human freedom for granted, to regard it as a prerogative rather than as an obligation, as an ultimate fact rather than as an ultimate goal.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELSpeech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELTo us injustice is injurious to the welfare of the people; to the prophets it is a deathblow to existence: to us, an episode; to them, a catastrophe, a threat to the world.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELProximity to the crowd, to the majority view, spells the death of creativity. For a soul can create only when alone, and some are chosen for the flowering that takes place in the dark avenues of night.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELWisdom, maturity, tranquility do not come all of a sudden when we retire.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELThe hour calls for moral grandeur and spiritual audacity.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELMan’s sin is in his failure to live what he is. Being the master of the earth, man forgets that he is the servant of God.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELDear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELBy the word of God the world was created.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELPeople are anxious to save up financial means for old age; they should also be anxious to prepare a spiritual means for old age….
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELThe opposite of good is not evil, the opposite of good is indifference.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELWonder, or radical amazement, is a way of going beyond what is given in thing and thought, refusing to take anything for granted, to regard anything as final.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELWhen I see an act of evil I don’t accomodate, I don’t accomodate myself to the violence that goes on everywhere.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELNever once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and he gave it to me.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELPrayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods.
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHELHow embarrassing for man to be the greatest miracle on earth and not to understand it!
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL