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Faith Quote by Elie Wiesel

“In the beginning there was faith—which is childish; trust—which is vain; and illusion—which is dangerous. We believed in God, trusted in man, and lived with the illusion that every one of us has been entrusted with a sacred spark from the Shekhinah’s flame; that every one of us carries in his eyes…” quote by Elie Wiesel
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““In the beginning there was faith—which is childish; trust—which is vain; and illusion—which is dangerous. We believed in God, trusted in man, and lived with the illusion that every one of us has been entrusted with a sacred spark from the Shekhinah’s flame; that every one of us carries in his eyes and in his soul a reflection of God’s image. That was the source if not the cause of all our ordeals.””

Elie Wiesel

About This Quote

Source Book: Night, Elie Wiesel, 1956

Faith, trust, and illusion shape human experience, but can also cause suffering when misapplied.

In simple terms: Faith, trust, illusion affect us, sometimes painfully.

Key Takeaway

Question beliefs and seek balanced understanding.

Themes

faith illusion suffering

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • spiritual practice
  • critical thinking
  • counseling
  • community dialogue

Key Concepts

theology psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What beliefs have you re‑examined?
  • How does recognizing illusion change your actions?
A Different Perspective

Blind faith can lead to disillusionment.

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