The whole object of the Prophets and the Sages was to declare that a limit is set to human reason where it must halt.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the boundaries of human understanding and reason.
Maimonides suggests that throughout history, wise figures such as Prophets and Sages have aimed to reveal the limitations of human reasoning. This insight encourages individuals to recognize that there are certain truths and concepts beyond the grasp of human intellect, inviting humility in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
In practice
In a discussion about philosophy at a university lecture, one might reference this quote to underline human limitations.
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.
You've got to learn to accept the law of life, and face the fact that we disintegrate slowly.
I like to remember things my own way. How I remembered them, not necessarily the way they happened.
The difference between theism and nontheism is not whether one does or does not believe in God. . . Theism is a deep-seated conviction that there's some hand to hold: if we just do the right things, someone will appreciate us and take care of us. . . Nontheism is relaxing with the ambiguity and uncertainty of the present moment without reaching for anything to protect ourselves.
And so for me there is no sting of death, And so the grave has lost its victory. It is but crossing-with abated breath And white, set face-a little strip of sea To find the loved ones waiting on the shore, More beautiful, more precious than before.
Whereas it is difficult for everything to work out easily, A man cannot even afford to be a human
Time is the old justice that examines all such offenders, and let Time try.
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