Religion is not a matter of God, church, holy cause, etc. These are but accessories. The source of religious preoccupation is in the self, or rather the rejection of the self. Dedication is the obverse side of self-rejection. Man alone is a religious animal because, as Montaigne points out, "it is a malady confined to man, and not seen in any other creature, to hate and despise ourselves.".
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The smashing of idols is in itself such a preoccupation that it is almost impossible for the iconoclast to look read more
The smashing of idols is in itself such a preoccupation that it is almost impossible for the iconoclast to look clearly into a future when there will not be many idols left to smash.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
The methods of the natural sciences cannot be applied to human behavior because this behavior...lacks the peculiarity that characterizes events read more
The methods of the natural sciences cannot be applied to human behavior because this behavior...lacks the peculiarity that characterizes events in the field of the natural sciences, viz., regularity.
Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.
Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.
Whenever there is a conflict between human rights and property rights, human rights must prevail
Whenever there is a conflict between human rights and property rights, human rights must prevail
Barbarian invasions would be superfluous: we are our own Huns.
Barbarian invasions would be superfluous: we are our own Huns.
Spiritual stagnation ensues when man's environment becomes unpredictable or when his inner life is made wholly predictable.
Spiritual stagnation ensues when man's environment becomes unpredictable or when his inner life is made wholly predictable.
One of the surprising privileges of intellectuals is that they are free to be scandalously asinine without harming their reputations.
One of the surprising privileges of intellectuals is that they are free to be scandalously asinine without harming their reputations.
