The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
Elie WieselRead
Only one enemy is worse than despair: indifference. In every area of human creativity, indifference is the enemy; indifference of evil is worse than evil, because it is also sterile.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Indifference is a greater threat than despair, as it breeds sterility in human creativity and action.
Elie Wiesel's quote emphasizes that while despair can lead to a sense of hopelessness, indifference is even more dangerous because it leads to inaction and stagnation. Indifference allows evil to thrive unchecked, as it demonstrates a lack of concern or response to moral issues, ultimately stifling creativity and progress in society.
Themes
IndifferenceDespairCreativityEvilAction
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about social responsibility, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of engagement in important causes.
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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