Huston Smith Quotes (16 Quotes)


    Human intelligence is a reflection of the intelligence that produces everything. In knowing, we are simply extending the intelligence that comes to and constitutes us. We mimic the mind of God, so to speak. Or better, we continue and extend it.

    Poetry is a special use of language that opens onto the real. The business of the poet is truth telling, which is why in the Celtic tradition no one could be a teacher unless he or she was a poet.

    Exclusively oral cultures are unencumbered by dead knowledge, dead facts. Libraries, on the other hand, are full of them.

    The self is too small an object for perpetual enthusiasm.

    I had assumed that Bush's seemingly inflexible policy to support Sharon was for political reasons of his getting elected. But as to whether he really believes his actions are going to hasten the day of the final conflict, I do not know.


    It's often difficult for us to act compassionately, but sacred art eases the difficulty by ennobling us.

    The crisis that the world finds itself in as it swings on the hinge of a new millennium is located in something deeper than particular ways of organizing political systems and economies.

    There is no connection between morality and disaster, Are we going to think that they deserved that That would be atrocious.

    The most powerful moral influence is example.

    Rationalism and Newtonian science has lured us into dark woods, but a new metaphysics can rescue us.

    In order to live man must believe in that for which he lives.

    A nation can assume that the addition of the words under God to its pledge of allegiance gives evidence that its citizens actually believe in God whereas all it really proves is that they believe in believing in God.

    First of all, my persuasion is what really breeds violence is political differences. But because religion serves as the soul of community, it gets drawn into the fracas and turns up the heat.

    In nature, the emphasis is in what is rather than what ought to be.

    The modern period adds social ethics to religions agenda, for we now realize that social structures are not like laws of nature. They are human creations, so we are responsible for them.

    So always, if we look back, concern for face-to-face morality, and its modern emphasis on justice as well, have historically evolved as religious issues.


    More Huston Smith Quotations (Based on Topics)


    Morality - Nature - God - Literature - Intelligence - Violence - Enthusiasm - Soul - Poetry - Communities - Actions - Metaphysics - Justice - Wisdom & Knowledge - Facts - Speaking - Poets - Contemplation - Obstacles - View All Huston Smith Quotations

    Related Authors


    Thomas Aquinas - William Barclay - Theodore Parker - Ronald Knox - Reinhold Niebuhr - Peter Lombard - Origen - John Pearson - Johann Arndt - Antoine Arnauld


Authors (by First Name)

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Other Inspiring Sections