Great Throughts Treasury

"Do not imagine that these most difficult problems can be thoroughly understood by any one of us. This is not the case. At times the truth shines so brilliantly that we perceive it as clear as day. Our nature and habit then draw a veil over our perception, and we return to a darkness almost as dense as before. We are like those who, though beholding frequent flashes of lightning, still find themselves in the thickest darkness of the night. On some the lightning flashes in rapid succession, and they seem to be in continuous light, and their night is as clear as the day."

"When I have a difficult subject before me — when I find the road narrow, and can see no other way of teaching a well established truth except by pleasing one intelligent man and displeasing ten thousand fools — I prefer to address myself to the one man, and to take no notice whatever of the condemnation of the multitude; I prefer to extricate that intelligent man from his embarrassment and show him the cause of his perplexity, so that he may attain perfection and be at peace."

"Know that for the human mind there are certain objects of perception which are within the scope of its nature and capacity; on the other hand, there are, amongst things which actually exist, certain objects which the mind can in no way and by no means grasp: the gates of perception are dosed against it. Further, there are things of which the mind understands one part, but remains ignorant of the other; and when man is able to comprehend certain things, it does not follow that he must be able to comprehend everything."

"The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision."

"The soul is subject to health and disease, just as is the body. The health and disease of both... undoubtedly depend upon beliefs and customs, which are peculiar to mankind."

"Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it."

"All the evils that men cause to each other because of certain desires, or opinions or religious principles, are rooted in ignorance. [All hatred would come to an end] when the earth was flooded with the knowledge of God."

"The physician should not treat the disease but the patient who is suffering from it."

"Your purpose... should always be to know...the whole that was intended to be known."

"Do not consider it proof just because it is written in books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate to do the same with his pen."

"A person must see himself and the world as equally balanced on two ends of the scale, by doing one good deed, he tips the scale and brings for himself and the entire world redemption and salvation."

"Just as the wise person is distinguished by his knowledge, so too must he be distinguished by his actions, behavior and conduct."

"The purpose and intent [of a true leader] shall be to elevate mankind’s faith and fill the world with justice. "

"When a calamity strikes the community we must cry out, examine our lives and correct our ways. To say that the calamity is merely a natural phenomenon and a chance occurrence is insensitive and cruel."