The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
Elie WieselRead
Be careful with words, they're dangerous. Be wary of them. They begat either demons or angels. It's up to you to give life to one or the other. Be careful, I tell you, nothing is as dangerous as giving free rein to words
Interpretation
What this quote means
Words hold significant power, impacting our lives and others profoundly. It is crucial to choose them wisely to foster positivity or negativity.
Elie Wiesel's quote emphasizes the profound impact words can have in our lives. Words are not merely tools for communication; they possess the ability to create and destroy, to elevate discussions or incite anger. By choosing our words carefully, we harness their power to manifest either good or evil. This responsibility falls upon us, as we decide how our speech shapes our realities and interactions with others.
Themes
WordsPowerResponsibilityCommunicationImpact
In practice
Example use cases
During a public speaking event, one could use this quote to stress the importance of thoughtful communication.
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.
Elie WieselRead
Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
Elie WieselRead
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.
Elie WieselRead
No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has escaped the kingdom of night.
Elie WieselRead
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.
Elie WieselRead
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