Trust is the core of human relationships, of gregariousness among men. Friendship, a puzzle to the syllogistic and critical mentality, is not… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
The anchor of meaning resides in an abyss, deeper than the reach of despair. Yet the abyss is not not infinite; its bottom may suddenly be discovered within the confines of a human heart or under the debris of might doubts. This may be the vocation of man: to say "Amen" to being and to the Author of being; to… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share
Being is transcended by a concern for being. Our perplexity will not be solved by relating human existence to a timeless, subpersonal… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
Our concern is not how to worship in the catacombs but how to remain human in the skyscrapers. — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
Human being is both being in the world and living in the world. Living involves responsible understanding of one's role in relation… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
(People) can never attain fulfillment, or sense of meaning, unless it is shared, unless it pertains to other human beings. — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
Self-sufficiency, independence, the capacity to stand apart, to differ, to resist, and to defy-all are modes of being human. — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
It is dangerous to take human freedom for granted, to regard it as a prerogative rather than as an obligation, as an… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
“The primitive mind finds it hard to realize an idea without the aid of imagination, and it is the realm of space where imagination wields its sway. Of the gods it must have a visible image; where there is no image, there is no god. The reverence for the sacred image, for the sacred monument or place, is not only… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share
“There is a passion and drive for cruel deeds which only the awe and fear of God can soothe; there is a suffocating selfishness… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state--it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle… Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share
Ultimately there is no power to narcissistic, self-indulgent thinking. Authentic thinking originates with an encounter with the world. — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
“Usually we regard as meaningful that which can be expressed, and as meaningless that which cannot be expressed. Yet, the equation of the meaningful… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
Understanding God is not attained by calling into session all arguments for and against Him, in order to debate whether He is a reality… — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society. — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
Religion has become an impersonal affair, an institutional loyalty. It survives on the level of activities rather than in the stillness of commitment. — Abraham Joshua Heschel Copy Share Image
