The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
Elie WieselRead
In any society, fanatics who hate don't hate only me - they hate you, too. They hate everybody.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fanaticism and hatred are pervasive and indiscriminate sentiments that affect everyone in society.
Elie Wiesel's quote highlights the dangers of fanaticism and hatred, suggesting that when individuals harbor such feelings, they are not targeting a single person but rather encompass a broader disdain for society itself. This serves as a reminder that hate is a corrosive force that ultimately harms everyone, not just its immediate victims.
Themes
FanaticismHatredSocietyUnityInclusion
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about tolerance and acceptance, one might reference Wiesel's insight into the nature of hatred.
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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