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.
Interpretation
Written words can be manipulated, just like spoken ones; skepticism is essential.
This quote from Maimonides emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and skepticism towards written texts. It warns against the blind acceptance of information simply because it is published in books, highlighting that deceitful individuals can distort both spoken and written words to mislead others.
In practice
During a debate on misinformation in media, one could use this quote to highlight the need for critical examination of sources.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
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.
There are no problems, only solutions.
Ideas? My head is full of them, one after the other, but they serve no purpose there. They must be put down on paper, one after the other.
The lucky person passes for a genius.
Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board.
Seeds must be sown everywhere. Only some will bear fruit. But there would not be the fruit from the few had the many not been sown
The man of authentic self-confidence is the man who relies on the judgment of his own mind. Such a man is not malleable; he may be mistaken, he may be fooled in a given instance, but he is inflexible in regard to the absolutism of reality, i.e., in seeking and demanding truth.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.