The analysis of concepts is for the understanding nothing more than what the magnifying glass is for sight
Moses MendelssohnRead
We consider the beauty of nature and art with pleasure and satisfaction, without the slightest movement of desire. Instead, it appears to be a particular mark of beauty that it is considered with tranquil satisfaction; that it pleases if we also do not possess it and we are still far removed from demanding to possess it
Interpretation
The appreciation of beauty in nature and art can be experienced without the desire to own it.
Moses Mendelssohn expresses the idea that true appreciation of beauty, whether in nature or art, comes from a place of tranquility and satisfaction. This appreciation does not stem from a desire to possess the beautiful object but rather from a genuine enjoyment and recognition of its beauty, highlighting that one can find pleasure in beauty even when it is unattainable or distant.
In practice
During a nature hike, I shared this quote to emphasize the joy of enjoying the landscape without the need to own it.
The analysis of concepts is for the understanding nothing more than what the magnifying glass is for sight
Judaism boasts of no exclusive revelation of eternal truths that are indispensable to salvation, of no revealed religion in the sense in which that term is usually understood.
Both state and church have as their object actions as well as convictions, the former insofar as they are based on the relations between man and nature, the latter insofar as they are based on the relations between nature and God.
We would be able neither to remember nor to reflect nor to compare nor to think, indeed, we would not even be the person who we were a moment ago, if our concepts were divided among many and were not to be encountered somewhere together in their most exact combination.
Consciousness of myself, combined with complete ignorance of everything that does not fall within my sphere of thinking, is the most telling proof of my substantiality outside God, of my original existence
My religion recognizes no obligation to resolve doubt other than through rational means; and it commands no mere faith in eternal truths
I've always wanted to create drama in my pictures, which is why I paint people. It's people who have brought drama to pictures from the beginning. The simplest human gestures tell stories.
So I try to re-invent my own eye every time I tackle a new subject. But it's hard, because everybody has style. You can't help it.
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.
I'm not likely to forget where I've been and what I've done and learned. I think it's just as important to play new instruments as to play new pieces. The old ones are getting scarcer and the new ones more and more wonderful.
No poem is worth anything unless it starts from a poetic trance, out of which you can be wakened by interruption as from a dream. In fact, it is the same thing.
Sing such a song with all of your heart that you'll never have to sing again.
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