In the beginning we must simplify the subject, thus unavoidably falsifying it, and later we must sophisticate away the falsely simple beginning.
MAIMONIDESHe who does not understand that a dead lion is more alive than a living dog will remain a dog.
More Maimonides Quotes
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Inspire me with love for my art and for thy creatures. In the sufferer let me see only the human being.
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Man’s shortcomings and sins are all due to the substance of the body and not to its form; while all his merits are exclusively due to his form.
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Do not imagine that these most difficult problems can be thoroughly understood by any one of us.
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It is better and more satisfactory to acquit a thousand guilty persons than to put a single innocent one to death.
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It is hard for a woman with whom an uncircumcised man has had sexual intercourse to separate from him. In my opinion this is the strongest of the reasons for circumcision.
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Actions are divided as regards their object into four classes; they are either purposeless, unimportant, or vain, or good.
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What is lofty can be said in any language. What is mean should be said in none.
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He who does not understand that a dead lion is more alive than a living dog will remain a dog.
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The whole object of the Prophets and the Sages was to declare that a limit is set to human reason where it must halt.
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I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be his name, is not a body, and that he is free from all accidents of matter, and that he has not any form whatsoever.
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Teach thy tongue to say ‘I do not know,’ and thou shalt progress.
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Every man should view himself as equally balanced: half good and half evil. Likewise, he should see the entire world as half good and half evil. With a single good deed he will tip the scales for himself, and for the entire world, to the side of good.
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The knowledge of God, the formation of ideas, the mastery of desire and passion, the distinction between that which is to be chosen and that which is to be rejected, all these man owes to his form.
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Lose with truth and right rather than gain with falsehood and wrong.
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I will destroy my enemies by converting them to friends.
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For it is said, You shall strengthen the stranger and the dweller in your midst and live with him, that is to say, strengthen him until he needs no longer fall upon the mercy of the community or be in need.
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For that which is without a beginning, a final cause need not be sought.
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There are eight levels of charity. The highest is when you strengthen a man’s hand until he need no longer be dependent upon others.
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In finances, be strict with yourself, generous with others.
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There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
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One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good – he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad – he and the world is destroyed.
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Do not consider it proof just because it is written in books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate to do the same with his pen.
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Hear the truth from whomever says it.
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Astrology is not an art, it is a disease.
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Every man whose character traits all lie in the mean is called a wise man.
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The key to the understanding and to the full comprehension of all that the Prophets have said is found in the knowledge of the figures, their general ideas, and the meaning of each word they contain.
MAIMONIDES