Abandonment Quote by Maimonides
“To the totality of purposes of the perfect Law there belong the abandonment, depreciation, and restraint of desires in so far as possible.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Guide for the Perplexed, Maimonides, 1190
The perfect law calls for minimizing desires as much as possible.
In simple terms: Limit desires to follow law.
Key Takeaway
Practice restraint.
Themes
ethics
self‑control
spirituality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal discipline
- spiritual practice
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
law
asceticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance necessary wants with spiritual goals?
- What desires are essential versus harmful?
A Different Perspective
Desire cannot be fully eliminated, only managed.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
![“WHEN reading my present treatise, bear in mind that by "faith" we do not understand merely that which is uttered with the lips, but also that which is apprehended by the soul, the conviction that the object [of belief] is exactly as it is apprehended. If, as regards real or supposed truths, you…” quote by Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fbb/maimonides-2639_articles_when-reading-my-present-treatise-bear-in_78488.jpg)
