The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The Bible is not only laws, it's also stories. It begins, 'In the beginning God created Heaven.' If I had written these words, I wouldn't have written anything else; it's just enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that the Bible contains both laws and rich narratives, highlighting the significance of its creation story.
Elie Wiesel reflects on the profound nature of the Bible, pointing out that it is not merely a set of laws but also a collection of stories that convey deep truths about existence and creation. The phrase 'In the beginning God created Heaven' holds immense weight for Wiesel, suggesting that the act of creation itself carries sufficient meaning, encapsulating the essence of faith and humanity's relationship with the divine. By recognizing the narrative aspect of religious texts, Wiesel invites us to appreciate both the moral guidance and the timeless stories that shape our understanding of life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the importance of narratives in teaching moral lessons.
More from Elie Wiesel
All quotes →With every cell of my being and with every fiber of my memory I oppose the death penalty in all forms. I do not believe any civilized society should be at the service of death. I don't think it's human to become an agent of the angel of death.
Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
We're alone, but we are capable of communicating to one another both our loneliness and our desire to break through it. You say, 'I'm alone.' Someone answers, 'I'm alone too.' There's a shift in the scale of power. A bridge is thrown between the two abysses.
No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has escaped the kingdom of night.
My loyalty to my people, to our people, and to Israel comes first and prevents me from saying anything critical of Israel outside Israel… As a Jew I see my role as a melitz yosher, a defender of Israel: I defend even her mistakes… I must identify with whatever Israel does – even with her errors.
Similar quotes
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It is not the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered; but very often an action of small note. An casual remark or joke shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battles.
The stronger the ties that bind us to God, the more likely we are to live, react, and behave in harmony with...greater joy, peace, and happiness.
Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people….Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.
you can measure the size of a person by what makes him or her angry
I want people to remember me as someone whose life has been helpful to humanity.