Creativity Quote by Ludwig Feuerbach
![“[T]he imagination identifies … the external God with the soul of man. The imagination is … the true place of an existence which is absent, not present to the senses, though nevertheless sensational in its essence. Only the imagination solves the contradiction in an existence which is at once…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/089/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_creativity_t-he-imagination-identifies-the-external_1313494.jpg)
““[T]he imagination identifies … the external God with the soul of man. The imagination is … the true place of an existence which is absent, not present to the senses, though nevertheless sensational in its essence. Only the imagination solves the contradiction in an existence which is at once sensational and not sensational[.]””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Essence of Christianity, 1841
Claims imagination bridges the gap between sensory reality and spiritual existence, resolving paradoxes of sensation and non-sensation.
In simple terms: Imagination connects what we sense with what we feel beyond senses.
Key Takeaway
Use imagination to reconcile contradictions.
Themes
imagination
philosophy
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- artistic expression
- meditative practice
- scientific theorizing
Key Concepts
metaphysics
human consciousness
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways does imagination reveal unseen truths?
- Can imagination mislead our understanding?
A Different Perspective
Imagination may be limited by personal bias.
![“I extend the horizon of the senses by the imagination; … this conception … exalts me above the limited standpoint of the senses, … affects me agreeably, I posit [it] as a divine reality. … [I]t would be impossible for me to predicate omniscience of an object or being external to myself, if this…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/745/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_imagination_i-extend-the-horizon-of-the-senses-by-th_1013947.jpg)
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
![“Religion annexes to its doctrines a curse and a blessing … Blessed is he that believeth, cursed is he that believeth not. Thus it appeals not to reason, but to feeling, … to the passions of hope and fear. … [T]he fear of hell urges me to believe. Even supposing my belief to be in its origin free…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70b/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_religion-annexes-to-its-doctrines-a-curs_35960.jpg)
![“[T]o think God is therefore to affirm what God is, to establish the being of God as an act. That God is thought, cognised, is essential; that this tree is thought, is to the tree accidental, unessential. … [H]ow is it possible that God – if he is to exist for us, to be an object to us – must…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef5/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_quote_t-o-think-god-is-therefore-to-affirm-wha_219124.jpg)
![“The essence of faith … is the idea that that which man wishes actually is: he wishes to be immortal, therefore he is immortal; he wishes for the existence of a being who can do everything which is impossible to Nature and reason, therefore such a being exists[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb8/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_the-essence-of-faith-is-the-idea-that-th_247786.jpg)
![“[H]eavenly personality, or the perpetuation of human personality in heaven is nothing else than personality released from all earthly encumbrances and limitations[.] [H]ere we are men, there gods[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a6/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_clinging-to-self_h-eavenly-personality-or-the-perpetuatio_340334.jpg)
![“[A]lthough the deeds opposed to love which mark Christian religious history, are in accordance with Christianity, and its antagonists are therefore right in imputing to it the horrible actions resulting from dogmatic creeds; those deeds nevertheless at the same time contradict Christianity…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ab/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_accepting-love_a-lthough-the-deeds-opposed-to-love-whic_414411.jpg)
