Now, we occupy a lowly position, both in space and rank in comparison with the heavenly sphere, and the Almighty is Most High not in space, but with respect to absolute existence, greatness and power.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on humanity's humble position in the universe compared to the divine. It emphasizes the greatness of the Almighty in terms of existence and power rather than physical space.
Maimonides' statement highlights the distinction between the physical realm and the spiritual or divine realm. While humans may feel insignificant in their earthly existence, the quote reminds us that the greatness of the Almighty transcends the limitations of space and rank. It prompts reflection on our place in the grand scheme of existence and encourages humility in acknowledging the vastness and power of the divine compared to our own status.
In practice
During a lecture on the philosophy of existence, this quote can illustrate the nature of humanity's relationship with the divine.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
For some small number of people, a parental loss appears to be, ultimately, a desirable difficulty - again, not a large number.
It is however always important to remember that the ability to see things in their correct perspective may be, and often is, divorced from the ability to reason correctly and vice versa. That is why a man may be a very good theorist and yet talk absolute nonsense.
Teleology is like a mistress to a biologist: he cannot live without her but he's unwilling to be seen with her in public.
It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity.
We must remember that there is a great difference between a myth and a miracle. A myth is the idealization of a fact. A miracle is the counterfeit of a fact. There is the same difference between a myth and a miracle that there is between fiction and falsehood -- between poetry and perjury. Miracles belong to the far past and the far future. The little line of sand, called the present, between the seas, belongs to common sense to the natural.
If you don't have a moral question governing your society, then you don't have a society that is going to survive.
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