A truth does not become greater by repetition. Maimonides More Quotes by Maimonides More Quotes From Maimonides How individuals of the same species surpass each other in these sensations and in other bodily faculties is universally known, but there is a limit to them, and their power cannot extend to every distance or to every degree. Maimonides medicine distance philosophy This must be our belief when we have a correct knowledge of our own self, and comprehend the true nature of everything; we must be content, and not trouble our mind with seeking a certain final cause for things that have none, or have no other final cause but their own existence, which depends on the Will of God, or, if you prefer, on the Divine Wisdom. Maimonides divine-wisdom self mind The more we desire for that which is superfluous, the more we meet with difficulties; our strength and possessions are spent in unnecessary things, and are wanting when required for that which is necessary. Maimonides unnecessary-things difficulty desire No form remains permanently in a substance; a constant change takes place, one form is taken off and another is put on. Maimonides form substance taken The philosophers likewise assume that in Nature there is nothing in vain, so that everything that is not the product of human industry serves a certain purpose, which may be known or unknown to us. Maimonides philosopher purpose may There are four different theories concerning Divine Providence; they are all ancient, known from the time of the Prophets, when the true law was revealed to enlighten these dark regions. Maimonides different law dark The so-called evils are evils only in relation to a certain thing, and that which is evil in relation to a certain existing thing, either includes the non-existence of that thing or the non-existence of some of its good conditions. Maimonides existence certain evil Even when a person suffers pain in consequence of a thorn having entered into his hand, although it is at once drawn out, it is a punishment that has been inflicted on him, and the least pleasure he enjoys is a reward; all this is meted out by strict justice; as is said in the Scripture, "all His ways are judgement" (Deut. xxxii. 4); we are only ignorant of the working of that judgement. Maimonides punishment pain hands Those who believe that... detailed rules originate in a certain cause, are as far from the truth as those who assume that the whole law is useless. Maimonides useless law believe He, however, who begins with Metaphysics, will not only become confused in matters of religion, but will fall into complete infidelity. Maimonides confused fake-people fall We suffer from the evils which we, by our own free will, inflict on ourselves and ascribe them to God, who is far from being connected with them! Maimonides free-will suffering evil Another fundamental principle taught by the Law of Moses is this: Wrong cannot be ascribed to God in any way whatever; all evils and afflictions as well as all kinds of happiness of man, whether they concern one individual or a community, are distributed according to justice; they are the result of strict judgement that admits no wrong whatever. Maimonides evil law men The Mutakallemim... apply the term non-existence only to absolute non-existence, and not to absence of properties. A property and the absence of that property are considered by them as two opposites, they treat, e.g. , blindness and sight, death and life, in the same way as heat and cold. Therefore they say, without any qualification, non-existence does not require any agent, an agent is required when something is produced. Maimonides sight opposites two It is of great advantage that man should know his station, and not imagine that the whole universe exists only for him. Maimonides advantage imagine men For every force charged by God, may He be exalted, with some business is an angel put in charge. Maimonides force angel may Every man whose character traits all lie in the mean is called a wise man. Maimonides wise character lying God is identical with His attributes, so that it may be said that He is the knowledge, the knower, and the known. Maimonides attributes said may Now I wonder what our knowledge has in common with God's knowledge according to those who treat God's knowledge... Is there anything else common to both besides the mere name? ...there is an essential distinction between His knowledge and ours, like the distinction between the substance of the heavens and that of the earth. Maimonides essentials names heaven First Theory . There is no Providence at all for anything in the Universe; all parts of the Universe, the heavens and what they contain, owe their origin to accident and chance; there exists no being that rules and governs them or provides for them. This is the theory of Epicurus. Maimonides chance heaven firsts The key to the understanding and to the full comprehension of all that the Prophets have said is found in the knowledge of the figures, their general ideas, and the meaning of each word they contain. Maimonides understanding keys ideas
