Add Quote by Jaroslav Pelikan
“Tradition is the living faith of dead people to which we must add our chapter while we have the gift of life. Traditionalism is the dead faith of living people who fear that if anything changes, the whole enterprise will crumble.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Courage of Tradition by Jaroslav Pelikan, 1995
Tradition carries past beliefs; we must expand it responsibly while alive.
In simple terms: Live traditions must be updated.
Key Takeaway
Add your own chapter to tradition.
Themes
tradition
faith
change
responsibility
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- religious practice
- family customs
- organizational policy
Key Concepts
cultural continuity
intergenerational dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we honor the past while embracing new ideas?
- What personal contributions can you make to evolving tradition?
A Different Perspective
Tradition can stifle innovation if not questioned.
![“Consistently, [Yves] Congar emphasized the distinction between Tradition and traditionalism. The latter was an unyielding commitment to the past. The former was a living principle of commitment to the Beginning, a process that required creativity, inspiration, and a spirit of openness to the…” quote by Robert Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/robert-ellsberg-53444_church_consistently-yves-congar-emphasized-the_1753730.jpg)
