Quote of the Day Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed. Abraham Joshua Heschel Life , Spiritual , Morning 392 Copy quote ...morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible. Abraham Joshua Heschel Evil , Suffering , Limits Abraham Joshua Heschel, Harold Kasimow (1991). “No Religion Is an Island: Abraham Joshua Heschel and Interreligious Dialogue”, Orbis Books 362 Copy quote When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendors of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless. Abraham Joshua Heschel Past , Compassion , Names Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.181, Macmillan 305 Copy quote Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. ...I do not ask to see the reason for it all: I ask only to share the wonder of it all. Abraham Joshua Heschel Dear Lord , Numbers , Grace 229 Copy quote We are closer to God when we are asking questions than when we think we have the answers. Abraham Joshua Heschel Thinking , Asking Questions , Asking "SQ : Connecting with Our Spiritual Intelligence". Book by Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall, 2000. 239 Copy quote The opposite of good is not evil, the opposite of good is indifference. Abraham Joshua Heschel Opposites , Evil , Indifference 181 Copy quote In any free society where terrible wrongs exist, some are guilty - all are responsible. Abraham Joshua Heschel Guilty , Responsible , Terrible 205 Copy quote For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying. Abraham Joshua Heschel Song , Prayer , Legs 287 Copy quote Remember that there is meaning beyond absurdity. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art. Abraham Joshua Heschel Art , Deeds , Remember Abraham Joshua Heschel (1983). “I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology”, Crossroad Publishing Company 227 Copy quote Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society. Abraham Joshua Heschel Evil , Indifference , Silent 141 Copy quote Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will. Abraham Joshua Heschel Prayer , Heart , Bridges "The Jewish moral virtues". Book by Eugene Borowitz, 1999. 228 Copy quote When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. Abraham Joshua Heschel Bullying , Clever , Kindness 189 Copy quote Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision. Abraham Joshua Heschel Prayer , Pyramids , Hatred 229 Copy quote Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason. Abraham Joshua Heschel Men , Racism , Hatred Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.86, Macmillan 233 Copy quote Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Abraham Joshua Heschel Faith , Heart , Shrines Abraham Joshua Heschel (1976). “Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion”, p.174, Macmillan 38 Copy quote Awareness of the divine begins with wonder. Abraham Joshua Heschel Wonder , Awareness , Divine Abraham Joshua Heschel (1976). “God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism”, p.46, Macmillan 28 Copy quote Awe is an intuition for the dignity of all things, a realization that things not only are what they are but also stand, however remotely, for something supreme. Awe is a sense for transcendence, for the reference everywhere to mystery beyond all things. It enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine. ... to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple: to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal. What we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe. Abraham Joshua Heschel Simple , Intuition , Analysis Abraham Joshua Heschel (1983). “I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology”, Crossroad Publishing Company 55 Copy quote The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; from the world of creation to the creation of the world. Abraham Joshua Heschel Space , Trying , Six Abraham Joshua Heschel (2005). “The Sabbath”, p.22, Macmillan 174 Copy quote The degree to which one is sensitive to other people's suffering, to other (people's) humanity, is the index of one's own humanity Abraham Joshua Heschel People , Humanity , Suffering Abraham Joshua Heschel (1965). “Who is Man?”, p.46, Stanford University Press 84 Copy quote Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. Abraham Joshua Heschel Life , Faith , Gratitude Abraham Joshua Heschel (1997). “Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays”, p.264, Macmillan 43 Copy quote Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge. Abraham Joshua Heschel Inspirational , Inspiring , Business 30 Copy quote In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves. Abraham Joshua Heschel Buddhist , Truth , Life Changing 65 Copy quote Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Audacious longing, burning songs, daring thoughts, an impulse overwhelming the heart, usurping the mind--these are all a drive towards serving Him who rings our hearts like a bell. It is as if He were waiting to enter our empty, perishing lives. Abraham Joshua Heschel Song , Heart , Waiting Abraham Joshua Heschel (1976). “Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion”, p.174, Macmillan 156 Copy quote A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture. Abraham Joshua Heschel Children , Tyrants , People Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.72, Macmillan 209 Copy quote The test of love is in how one relates not to saints and scholars but to rascals. Abraham Joshua Heschel Love Is , Saint , Tests Abraham Joshua Heschel (1973). “A Passion for Truth”, p.85, Macmillan 55 Copy quote Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed. Abraham Joshua Heschel Life , Spiritual , Morning 392 Copy quote Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed. ...morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible. Abraham Joshua Heschel Evil , Suffering , Limits Abraham Joshua Heschel, Harold Kasimow (1991). “No Religion Is an Island: Abraham Joshua Heschel and Interreligious Dialogue”, Orbis Books 362 Copy quote ...morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendors of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless. Abraham Joshua Heschel Past , Compassion , Names Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.181, Macmillan 305 Copy quote When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendors of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless. Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. ...I do not ask to see the reason for it all: I ask only to share the wonder of it all. Abraham Joshua Heschel Dear Lord , Numbers , Grace 229 Copy quote Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. ...I do not ask to see the reason for it all: I ask only to share the wonder of it all. We are closer to God when we are asking questions than when we think we have the answers. Abraham Joshua Heschel Thinking , Asking Questions , Asking "SQ : Connecting with Our Spiritual Intelligence". Book by Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall, 2000. 239 Copy quote We are closer to God when we are asking questions than when we think we have the answers. The opposite of good is not evil, the opposite of good is indifference. Abraham Joshua Heschel Opposites , Evil , Indifference 181 Copy quote The opposite of good is not evil, the opposite of good is indifference. In any free society where terrible wrongs exist, some are guilty - all are responsible. Abraham Joshua Heschel Guilty , Responsible , Terrible 205 Copy quote In any free society where terrible wrongs exist, some are guilty - all are responsible. For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying. Abraham Joshua Heschel Song , Prayer , Legs 287 Copy quote For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying. Remember that there is meaning beyond absurdity. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art. Abraham Joshua Heschel Art , Deeds , Remember Abraham Joshua Heschel (1983). “I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology”, Crossroad Publishing Company 227 Copy quote Remember that there is meaning beyond absurdity. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art. Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society. Abraham Joshua Heschel Evil , Indifference , Silent 141 Copy quote Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society. Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will. Abraham Joshua Heschel Prayer , Heart , Bridges "The Jewish moral virtues". Book by Eugene Borowitz, 1999. 228 Copy quote Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will. When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. Abraham Joshua Heschel Bullying , Clever , Kindness 189 Copy quote When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision. Abraham Joshua Heschel Prayer , Pyramids , Hatred 229 Copy quote Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision. Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason. Abraham Joshua Heschel Men , Racism , Hatred Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.86, Macmillan 233 Copy quote Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason. Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Abraham Joshua Heschel Faith , Heart , Shrines Abraham Joshua Heschel (1976). “Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion”, p.174, Macmillan 38 Copy quote Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Awareness of the divine begins with wonder. Abraham Joshua Heschel Wonder , Awareness , Divine Abraham Joshua Heschel (1976). “God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism”, p.46, Macmillan 28 Copy quote Awareness of the divine begins with wonder. Awe is an intuition for the dignity of all things, a realization that things not only are what they are but also stand, however remotely, for something supreme. Awe is a sense for transcendence, for the reference everywhere to mystery beyond all things. It enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine. ... to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple: to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal. What we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe. Abraham Joshua Heschel Simple , Intuition , Analysis Abraham Joshua Heschel (1983). “I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology”, Crossroad Publishing Company 55 Copy quote Awe is an intuition for the dignity of all things, a realization that things not only are what they are but also stand, however remotely, for something supreme. Awe is a sense for transcendence, for the reference everywhere to mystery beyond all things. It enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine. ... to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple: to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal. What we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe. The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; from the world of creation to the creation of the world. Abraham Joshua Heschel Space , Trying , Six Abraham Joshua Heschel (2005). “The Sabbath”, p.22, Macmillan 174 Copy quote The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; from the world of creation to the creation of the world. The degree to which one is sensitive to other people's suffering, to other (people's) humanity, is the index of one's own humanity Abraham Joshua Heschel People , Humanity , Suffering Abraham Joshua Heschel (1965). “Who is Man?”, p.46, Stanford University Press 84 Copy quote The degree to which one is sensitive to other people's suffering, to other (people's) humanity, is the index of one's own humanity Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. Abraham Joshua Heschel Life , Faith , Gratitude Abraham Joshua Heschel (1997). “Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays”, p.264, Macmillan 43 Copy quote Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.

Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge. Abraham Joshua Heschel Inspirational , Inspiring , Business 30 Copy quote Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge. In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves. Abraham Joshua Heschel Buddhist , Truth , Life Changing 65 Copy quote In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves. Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Audacious longing, burning songs, daring thoughts, an impulse overwhelming the heart, usurping the mind--these are all a drive towards serving Him who rings our hearts like a bell. It is as if He were waiting to enter our empty, perishing lives. Abraham Joshua Heschel Song , Heart , Waiting Abraham Joshua Heschel (1976). “Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion”, p.174, Macmillan 156 Copy quote Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Audacious longing, burning songs, daring thoughts, an impulse overwhelming the heart, usurping the mind--these are all a drive towards serving Him who rings our hearts like a bell. It is as if He were waiting to enter our empty, perishing lives. A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture. Abraham Joshua Heschel Children , Tyrants , People Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.72, Macmillan 209 Copy quote A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture. The test of love is in how one relates not to saints and scholars but to rascals. Abraham Joshua Heschel Love Is , Saint , Tests Abraham Joshua Heschel (1973). “A Passion for Truth”, p.85, Macmillan 55 Copy quote The test of love is in how one relates not to saints and scholars but to rascals. Related Authors Martin Buber Philosopher Zalman Schachter-Shalomi Maimonides Philosopher Shlomo Carlebach Rabbi Baal Shem Tov Rabbi Leo Baeck Rabbi Simon Schama Art Historian Cornel West Philosopher Paul Tillich Philosopher Jacob Neusner Academic Hillel the Elder Franz Rosenzweig Philosopher Emmanuel Levinas Philosopher Harold S. Kushner Rabbi Michael Lerner Political activist Reinhold Niebuhr Theologian Ahad Ha'am Essayist Jonathan Sacks Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel Born: January 11, 1907 Died: December 23, 1972 Occupation: Rabbi Cite this Page: Citation Get Social with AzQuotes Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Every day we present the best quotes! Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends Quote of the Day Javascript and RSS feeds WordPress plugin ES Version AZQuotes.ES Login with your account Find Your Account