The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
Elie WieselRead
Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to life as long as God himself
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering his painful experiences, regardless of suffering.
In this quote, Elie Wiesel underscores the significance of memory in the face of extraordinary suffering and horror. The refusal to forget, even when faced with life’s worst tragedies, reflects a deep commitment to truth and the lessons learned from painful experiences, serving as a powerful reminder of resilience and the human spirit's ability to endure.
Themes
MemorySufferingPainResilienceTruth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of remembering history to prevent future atrocities.
More from Elie Wiesel
All quotes →With every cell of my being and with every fiber of my memory I oppose the death penalty in all forms. I do not believe any civilized society should be at the service of death. I don't think it's human to become an agent of the angel of death.
Elie WieselRead
Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
Elie WieselRead
We're alone, but we are capable of communicating to one another both our loneliness and our desire to break through it. You say, 'I'm alone.' Someone answers, 'I'm alone too.' There's a shift in the scale of power. A bridge is thrown between the two abysses.
Elie WieselRead
No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has escaped the kingdom of night.
Elie WieselRead
My loyalty to my people, to our people, and to Israel comes first and prevents me from saying anything critical of Israel outside Israel… As a Jew I see my role as a melitz yosher, a defender of Israel: I defend even her mistakes… I must identify with whatever Israel does – even with her errors.
Elie WieselRead
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What do we say to the Lord of Death?" "Not today.
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The person who runs away exposes himself to that very danger more than a person who sits quietly.
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So they didn't let anybody else off. I can't live like this, I'm finished. Auschwitz was easy.
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