Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.
Norman CousinsRead
I cannot affirm God if I fail to affirm man. Therefore, I affirm both. Without a belief in human unity I am hungry and incomplete. Human unity is the fulfillment of diversity. It is the harmony of opposites. It is a many-stranded texture, with color and depth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing both humanity and divinity for a complete understanding of existence.
Norman Cousins highlights the interconnectedness of humanity and the divine, suggesting that one cannot truly affirm the existence of God without also acknowledging the value of human life. He advocates for the belief in human unity, asserting that such unity is essential for true fulfillment and harmony, as it enriches our experience with diversity and depth.
Themes
HumanityUnityDiversityHarmonyBelief
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community building, one might say, 'As Norman Cousins expressed, I cannot affirm God if I fail to affirm man. Therefore, we must recognize our shared humanity to cultivate unity.'
More from Norman Cousins
All quotes →Never deny a diagnosis, but do deny the negative verdict that may go with it.
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Although a man may have no jurisdiction over the fact of his existence, he can hold supreme command over the meaning of existence for him.
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People are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.
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Reverence for life is more than solicitude or sensitivity for life. It is a sense of the whole, a capacity for inspired response, a respect for the intricate universe of individual life. It is the supreme awareness of awareness itself.
Norman CousinsRead
Drugs are not always necessary. Belief in recovery always is.
Norman CousinsRead
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