Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
As civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines. Such decline is an alarming symptom of our state of mind. Mankind will not perish for want of information; but only for want of appreciation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
As society progresses, our ability to appreciate the wonders around us diminishes, highlighting a troubling shift in our mindset.
Abraham Joshua Heschel's quote reflects a concern that as civilization becomes more advanced and information becomes more accessible, people may lose their sense of awe and wonder towards the world. This decline in appreciation could be detrimental to humanity, suggesting that it is not the lack of information that poses a threat, but rather the failure to value and appreciate the beauty and mystery of life. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder as a vital part of our mental and spiritual well-being.
Themes
WonderAppreciationCivilizationMindsetInformation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of arts in education, one might say, 'As Abraham Joshua Heschel noted, as civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines; we must encourage our children to appreciate the world around them.'
More from Abraham Joshua Heschel
All quotes →Normal consciousness is a state of stupor, in which the sensibility to the wholly real and responsiveness to the stimuli of the spirit are reduced. The mystics, knowing that man is involved in a hidden history of the cosmos, endeavor to awake from the drowsiness and apathy and to regain the state of wakefulness for their enchanted souls.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
The worship of reason is arrogance and betrays a lack of intelligence. The rejection of reason is cowardice and betrays a lack of faith.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
We worship God through our questions.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
When religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
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