Moses Maimonides
Jewish philosopher and physician (1138 to 1204), also a rabbinic authority; born in Cordova, Spain, and settled in Fustat, Egypt; author of the Mishneh Torah and the Guide of the Perplexed.
Moses Maimonides did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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Their wordsKnow that for the human mind there are certain objects of perception which are within the scope of its nature and capacity; on the other hand, there are, amongst things which actually exist, certain objects which the mind can in no way and by no means grasp: the gates of perception are closed against it.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 1st of 7 in this piece
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Their wordsKnow that the negative attributes of God are the true attributes: they do not include any incorrect notions or any deficiency whatever in reference to God, while positive attributes imply polytheism, and are inadequate, as we have already shown.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 2nd of 7 in this piece
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Their wordsBut the Eternity of the Universe has not been proved; a mere argument in favour of a certain theory is not sufficient reason for rejecting the literal meaning of a Biblical text, and explaining it figuratively, when the opposite theory can be supported by an equally good argument.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 3rd of 7 in this piece
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Their wordsMen frequently think that the evils in the world are more numerous than the good things; many savings and songs of the nations dwell on this idea. They say that a good thing is found only exceptionally, whilst evil things are numerous and lasting. Not only common people make this mistake, but even many who believe that they are wise.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 4th of 7 in this piece
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Their wordsThe general object of the Law is twofold: the well-being of the soul, and the well-being of the body. The well-being of the soul is promoted by correct opinions communicated to the people according to their capacity.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 5th of 7 in this piece
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Their wordsBut the truth is undoubtedly as we have said, that every one of the six hundred and thirteen precepts serves to inculcate some truth, to remove some erroneous opinion, to establish proper relations in society, to diminish evil, to train in good manners, or to warn against bad habits.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 6th of 7 in this piece
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Their wordsThe fourth kind of perfection is the true perfection of man; the possession of the highest intellectual faculties; the possession of such notions which lead to true metaphysical opinions as regards God. With this perfection man has obtained his final object; it gives him true human perfection; it remains to him alone; it gives him immortality, and on its account he is called man.
↗The Guide for the Perplexed (tr. M. Friedländer, 2nd ed. 1904)gutenberg.org 7th of 7 in this piece
The line under a date fills as the words age, a quarter at a time: past a month, six months, a year, and three years. Empty means said within the last month; full, more than three years ago. It says when, not whether it still holds — a change of mind is marked on the claim itself.
Dashed means we only know the words existed by that date; they may be older.