Simone Weil Quotes
A French social and religious philosopher.
(1909 - 1943)
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A doctrine serves no purpose in itself, but it is indispensable to have one if only to avoid being deceived by false doctrines.
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A hurtful act is the transference to others of the degradation which we bear in ourselves.
[Hatred]
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A mind enclosed in language is in prison.
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A science which does not bring us nearer to God is worthless.
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A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war.
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A test of what is real is that it is hard and rough. Joys are found in it, not pleasure. What is pleasant belongs to dreams.
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A work of art has an author and yet, when it is perfect, it has something which is anonymous about it.
[Applause]
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All sins are attempts to fill voids.
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An atheist may be simply one whose faith and love are concentrated on the impersonal aspects of God.
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As soon as men know that they can kill without fear of punishment or blame, they kill; or at least they encourage killers with approving smiles.
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Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be attained only by someone who is detached.
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Beauty always promises, but never gives anything.
[Beauty]
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Charity. To love human beings in so far as they are nothing. That is to love them as God does.
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Culture is an instrument wielded by teachers to manufacture teachers, who, in their turn, will manufacture still more teachers.
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Difficult as it is really to listen to someone in affliction, it is just as difficult for him to know that compassion is listening to him.
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Equality is the public recognition, effectively expressed in institutions and manners, of the principle that an equal degree of attention is due to the needs of all human beings.
[Attention]
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Every perfect life is a parable invented by God.
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Every time that I think of the crucifixion of Christ, I commit the sin of envy.
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Evil being the root of mystery, pain is the root of knowledge.
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Evil, when we are in its power, is not felt as evil, but as a necessity, even a duty.
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