Man is a messenger who forgot the message. Abraham Joshua Heschel More Quotes by Abraham Joshua Heschel More Quotes From Abraham Joshua Heschel It is dangerous to take human freedom for granted, to regard it as a prerogative rather than as an obligation, as an ultimate fact rather than as an ultimate goal. It is the beginning of wisdom to be amazed at the fact of our being free. Abraham Joshua Heschel being-free freedom goal Indeed, the sort of crimes and even the amount of delinquency that fill the prophets of Israel with dismay do not go beyond that which we regard as normal, as typical ingredients of social dynamics. To us a single act of injustice--cheating in business, exploitation of the poor--is slight; to the prophets, a disaster. To us injustice is injurious to the welfare of the people; to the prophets it is a deathblow to existence: to us, an episode; to them, a catastrophe, a threat to the world. Abraham Joshua Heschel israel cheating people People are anxious to save up financial means for old age; they should also be anxious to prepare a spiritual means for old age.... Wisdom, maturity, tranquility do not come all of a sudden when we retire. Abraham Joshua Heschel maturity spiritual mean I would say about individuals, A Individual dies when they cease to to be surprised. I am surprised every morning when I see the sunshine again. When I see an act of evil I don't accomodate, I don't accomodate myself to the violence that goes on everywhere. I am still so surprised! That is why I am against it. We must learn to be surprised. Abraham Joshua Heschel sunshine evil morning (People) can never attain fulfillment, or sense of meaning, unless it is shared, unless it pertains to other human beings. Abraham Joshua Heschel fulfillment humans people Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. Abraham Joshua Heschel gratitude faith life Much of what the Bible demands can be comprised in one imperative: Remember! Abraham Joshua Heschel imperatives demand remember The road to the sacred leads through the secular. Abraham Joshua Heschel secular sacred As civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines. Such decline is an alarming symptom of our state of mind. Mankind will not perish for want of information; but only for want of appreciation. Abraham Joshua Heschel mind appreciation civilization The tragedy of religion is partly due to its isolation from life, as if God could be segregated. Abraham Joshua Heschel isolation tragedy religion Every little deed counts. Abraham Joshua Heschel deeds littles Awareness of the divine begins with wonder. Abraham Joshua Heschel awareness divine wonder Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. Abraham Joshua Heschel motivational inspirational life The problem to be faced is: how to combine loyalty to one's own tradition with reverence for different traditions. Abraham Joshua Heschel tolerance loyalty religious Worship is a way of seeing the world in the light of God. Abraham Joshua Heschel light way world To abstain completely from all enjoyments may be easy. Yet to enjoy life and retain spiritual integrity - there is the challenge. Abraham Joshua Heschel enjoy-life spiritual integrity The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding that life without wonder is not worth living. Abraham Joshua Heschel understanding wonder lying Life is not meaningful...unle ss it is serving an end beyond itself; unless it is of value to someone else. Abraham Joshua Heschel ends life-is meaningful We forfeit the right to worship God as long as we continue to humiliate negroes. ... The hour calls for moral grandeur and spiritual audacity. Abraham Joshua Heschel audacity spiritual long Man's sin is in his failure to live what he is. Being the master of the earth, man forgets that he is the servant of God. Abraham Joshua Heschel servant-of-god earth men
