--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps…" description: "\"“Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.”\" — Gregory of Nyssa" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png" --- # Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything. ![“Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.” quote by Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png) > ““Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.”” [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ideas become objects of worship, while true wonder remains unattainable. **In simple terms:** Ideas turn into idols; wonder stays beyond grasp. Key Takeaway Seek wonder, not idolize concepts. Themes idolatry wonder philosophy Mood contemplative inspired Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - creative brainstorming - artistic inspiration - spiritual practice - academic study Key Concepts metaphysics spirituality epistemology Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep wonder alive? - What practices prevent idolization? A Different Perspective Idolizing ideas can limit imagination. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Idols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idols/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [Concepts create idols; only wonder understands anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-understands-anything/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything. People kill one another over idols. Wonder makes us fall to our knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-comprehends-anything-people-kill/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Gregory of Nyssa said, ‘Ideas create idols; only wonder leads to knowing.’ ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-m-doran/gregory-of-nyssa-said-ideas-create-idols-only-wonder-leads-to-knowing/) T.M. Doran > [Concepts create idols of God, of whom only wonder can tell us anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/concepts-create-idols-of-god-of-whom-only-wonder-can-tell-us-anything/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Small Data is not about testing concepts - it is more to create the foundation for innovative brand thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-lindstrom/small-data-is-not-about-testing-concepts-it-is-more-to-create-the/) [Martin Lindstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-lindstrom/) > [We make Idols of our concepts, but Wisdom is born of wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-make-idols-of-our-concepts-but-wisdom-is-born-of-wonder/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My idol was Sandino, and also Christ. I was brought up a Christian, but I regarded Christ as a rebel, a revolutionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ortega/my-idol-was-sandino-and-also-christ-i-was-brought-up-a-christian-but/) [Daniel Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ortega/) > [“We must not touch our idols; the gilt sticks to our fingers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/we-must-not-touch-our-idols-the-gilt-sticks-to-our-fingers/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [The idols of one's adolescence tend to endure - you never forget how you worshipped them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ivins/the-idols-of-one-s-adolescence-tend-to-endure-you-never-forget-how/) [Molly Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ivins/) > [I'm cute - and God I hate that. Because that's not cool. I'm like your niece, and nobody wants to date their niece. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-clarkson/i-m-cute-and-god-i-hate-that-because-that-s-not-cool-i-m-like-your/) [Kelly Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-clarkson/) > [“‎A careful reading of the Old and New Testaments shows that idolatry is nothing like the crude picture that springs to mind of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-keyes/a-careful-reading-of-the-old-and-new-testaments-shows-that-idolatry/) Richard Keyes > [Proof is an idol before which the mathematician tortures himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/proof-is-an-idol-before-which-the-mathematician-tortures-himself/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [ The fact that an Englishman has an Argentinian as an idol is very rare. I keep watching my \[title-winning\] goal against QPR and every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-aguero/the-fact-that-an-englishman-has-an-argentinian-as-an-idol-is-very/) [Sergio Aguero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-aguero/) > [Tis easy to break an idol, very easy: to regard the self as easy to subdue is folly, folly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/tis-easy-to-break-an-idol-very-easy-to-regard-the-self-as-easy-to/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [That's one of my idols, I really look up to Pacquiao. This guy is everything I would want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-garcia/that-s-one-of-my-idols-i-really-look-up-to-pacquiao-this-guy-is/) [Ryan Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-garcia/) ## More by Gregory of Nyssa > [It is impossible that one who has turned to the world and feels its anxieties, and engages his heart in the wish to please…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/it-is-impossible-that-one-who-has-turned-to-the-world-and-feels-its/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [For when one considers the universe, can anyone be so simple-minded as not to believe that the Divine is present in everything, pervading, embracing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/for-when-one-considers-the-universe-can-anyone-be-so-simple-minded-as/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Peace is defined as harmony among those who are divided. When, therefore, we end the civil war within our nature and cultivate peace within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/peace-is-defined-as-harmony-among-those-who-are-divided-when/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [But if one wishes to be absolute master of all, to obtain the entire inheritance, and to exclude his brothers from even a third…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/but-if-one-wishes-to-be-absolute-master-of-all-to-obtain-the-entire/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [“and the creation, in the world and above the world, that once was at variance with itself, is knit together in friendship: and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/and-the-creation-in-the-world-and-above-the-world-that-once-was-at/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [It is impossible for one to live without tears who considers things exactly as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/it-is-impossible-for-one-to-live-without-tears-who-considers-things/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Hope always draws the soul from the beauty which is seen to what is beyond, always kindles the desire for the hidden through what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/hope-always-draws-the-soul-from-the-beauty-which-is-seen-to-what-is/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [God's name is not known; it is wondered at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/god-s-name-is-not-known-it-is-wondered-at/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [If custom is to avail for proof of soundness, we too, surely, may advance our prevailing custom; and if they reject this, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/if-custom-is-to-avail-for-proof-of-soundness-we-too-surely-may/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Who gives you the day will give you also the things necessary for the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/who-gives-you-the-day-will-give-you-also-the-things-necessary-for-the/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Today the darkness begins to grow shorter and the light to lengthen, as the hours of night become fewer… Realize that the true light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/today-the-darkness-begins-to-grow-shorter-and-the-light-to-lengthen/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [If we truly think of Christ as our source of holiness, we shall refrain from anything wicked or impure in thought or act and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/if-we-truly-think-of-christ-as-our-source-of-holiness-we-shall/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [We are not entitled to such licence, I mean that of affirming what we please; we make the Holy Scriptures the rule and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/we-are-not-entitled-to-such-licence-i-mean-that-of-affirming-what-we/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [Our human weakness is protected by the assistance of the Angels and...in all our perils, provided faith remain with us, we are defended by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/our-human-weakness-is-protected-by-the-assistance-of-the-angels-and/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) > [For truly barren is profane education, which is always in labor but never gives birth. For what fruit worthy of such pangs does philosophy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/for-truly-barren-is-profane-education-which-is-always-in-labor-but/) [Gregory of Nyssa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) [Explore all 33 Gregory of Nyssa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/) ## More Idols quotes > [That's one of my idols, I really look up to Pacquiao. This guy is everything I would want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-garcia/that-s-one-of-my-idols-i-really-look-up-to-pacquiao-this-guy-is/) [Ryan Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-garcia/) > [Tis easy to break an idol, very easy: to regard the self as easy to subdue is folly, folly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/tis-easy-to-break-an-idol-very-easy-to-regard-the-self-as-easy-to/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [ The fact that an Englishman has an Argentinian as an idol is very rare. I keep watching my \[title-winning\] goal against QPR and every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-aguero/the-fact-that-an-englishman-has-an-argentinian-as-an-idol-is-very/) [Sergio Aguero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-aguero/) > [Proof is an idol before which the mathematician tortures himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/proof-is-an-idol-before-which-the-mathematician-tortures-himself/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [“‎A careful reading of the Old and New Testaments shows that idolatry is nothing like the crude picture that springs to mind of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-keyes/a-careful-reading-of-the-old-and-new-testaments-shows-that-idolatry/) Richard Keyes > [I'm cute - and God I hate that. Because that's not cool. I'm like your niece, and nobody wants to date their niece. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-clarkson/i-m-cute-and-god-i-hate-that-because-that-s-not-cool-i-m-like-your/) [Kelly Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-clarkson/) > [The idols of one's adolescence tend to endure - you never forget how you worshipped them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ivins/the-idols-of-one-s-adolescence-tend-to-endure-you-never-forget-how/) [Molly Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ivins/) > [“We must not touch our idols; the gilt sticks to our fingers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/we-must-not-touch-our-idols-the-gilt-sticks-to-our-fingers/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [My idol was Sandino, and also Christ. I was brought up a Christian, but I regarded Christ as a rebel, a revolutionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ortega/my-idol-was-sandino-and-also-christ-i-was-brought-up-a-christian-but/) [Daniel Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ortega/) > [My idols have always stuck to their guns and said what they want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-patrick/my-idols-have-always-stuck-to-their-guns-and-said-what-they-want-to-do/) [Richard Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-patrick/) > [A lot of the former Idols were voting for me, and that makes me feel really good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-porsha-renae/a-lot-of-the-former-idols-were-voting-for-me-and-that-makes-me-feel/) [La'Porsha Renae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-porsha-renae/) > [And one fine day the goddess of the wind kisses the foot of man, that mistreated, scorned foot, and from that kiss the soccer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/and-one-fine-day-the-goddess-of-the-wind-kisses-the-foot-of-man-that/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [First Moloch, horrid king, besmirched in blood, Of Human sacrifice, and parent's tears, Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, Their childrens'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/first-moloch-horrid-king-besmirched-in-blood-of-human-sacrifice-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [You're killing yourself with cynicism. Your idols got taken away from you one by one and now you have nothing to give your love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/you-re-killing-yourself-with-cynicism-your-idols-got-taken-away-from/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-think-that-idols-are-bad-things-but-that-is-almost-never-the-case/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) [Browse all 856 Idols quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idols/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gregory of Nyssa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps-anything/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Idols" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps-anything/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac7/gregory-of-nyssa-19296_idols_concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps_2073923.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.” — Gregory of Nyssa", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gregory of Nyssa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nyssa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps-anything/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nyssa/concepts-create-idols-only-wonder-grasps-anything/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```