We should never rush into folly just because other nations are practicing it.
Leon KassRead
Human life without death would be something other than human; consciousness of mortality gives rise to out deepest longings and greatest accomplishments.
Interpretation
Death is a fundamental aspect of life that shapes our desires and achievements.
In this quote, Leon Kass emphasizes the intrinsic connection between life and death, suggesting that our awareness of mortality defines our humanity. This consciousness not only ignites our deepest yearnings but also fuels our most significant accomplishments, as we strive to make meaningful impacts in the limited time we have.
In practice
This quote could be used in a philosophy class to discuss the significance of mortality in human experience.
We should never rush into folly just because other nations are practicing it.
One should proceed with caution. We may simply not be wise enough to do some of the kinds of engineering things that people are talking about doing.
There's an ancient tension between wanting to savor the world as it is and wanting to improve on the world as given.
As bad as it might be to destroy a creature made in God's image, it might be very much worse to be creating them after images of one's own.
It's a short step from the belief that every child should be wanted to the belief that a child exists to satisfy our wants.
Sexuality itself means mortality - equally for both man and woman.
People with the strongest and healthiest sense of calling are not obsessed with their calling. They are preoccupied with the Caller.
The vulgar man is always the most distinguished, for the very desire to be distinguished is vulgar.
Indeed, the test of orderliness in a country is not the number of millionaires it owns, but the absence of starvation among its masses.
I don't think it's fair to 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds to say 'Show us you're a winner right now!' Winning isn't everything. I'll never buy that thing that if a boy loses a football game, he's a loser in life.
I will rejoice the day when they say: This is right whether we all rot on top of each other or not, dear children, as we certainly may. Either practice restraint or be prepared for crowding.
One man pins me to the wall, while with another I walk among the stars
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