The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.
Rene DescartesRead
Before examining this more carefully and investigating its consequences, I want to dwell for a moment in the contemplation of God, to ponder His attributes in me, to see, admire, and adore the beauty of His boundless light, insofar as my clouded insight allows. Believing that the supreme happiness of the other life consists wholly of the contemplation of divine greatness, I now find that through less perfect contemplation of the same sort I can gain the greatest joy available in this life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the joy derived from contemplating God and His attributes, suggesting that this reflection leads to a profound happiness in life.
Rene Descartes expresses the idea that contemplating God and His greatness can bring immense joy and fulfillment in our lives. He argues that while the supreme happiness in the afterlife is found in this contemplation, even a more imperfect reflection of the divine in our current life can lead to significant joy.
Themes
ContemplationHappinessGodJoyBeauty
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of spirituality, this quote can illustrate the relationship between divine contemplation and happiness.
More from Rene Descartes
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Mathematics is a more powerful instrument of knowledge than any other that has been bequeathed to us by human agency.
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I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that lunatics imagine when awake.
Rene DescartesRead
The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.
Rene DescartesRead
In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.
Rene DescartesRead
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