Maimonides

Jewish philosopher

Medieval influential 117 sayings

Sayings by Maimonides

He who thinks that he can attain the perfection of man without the help of God, errs greatly.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 51
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The purpose of the entire Torah is to bring man to this perfection.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 27
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human mind is unable to grasp the true essence of God.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter 58
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is proper for man to abstain from all things that are harmful to the body, even if they are not prohibited by the Torah.

c. 1170-1180 — Mishneh Torah, Hilchot De'ot 4:1
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The man who is perfect in his knowledge of God is he who has attained to the knowledge of all things that exist.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 54
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The best way to serve God is to acquire knowledge.

c. 1170-1180 — Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:2
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human soul is a spiritual substance, and it is immortal.

c. 1170-1180 — Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuvah 8:2
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human being is composed of body and soul, and the soul is the principal part.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter 41
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human mind is capable of understanding all things.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter 34
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The true meaning of freedom is the freedom of the soul from the bondage of the body.

c. 1187 — Medical Aphorisms
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The man who has acquired perfect knowledge of God, has attained to the highest possible degree of perfection.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 54
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The existence of God is a matter of demonstration, not of faith.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter 71
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human mind is a mirror that reflects the divine light.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter 68
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human will is free, and man is responsible for his actions.

c. 1170-1180 — Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuvah 5:1
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The true happiness of man consists in the perfection of his intellect.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 54
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The most excellent of all qualities is to be humble.

c. 1170-1180 — Mishneh Torah, Hilchot De'ot 2:3
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The knowledge of God is the ultimate goal of human existence.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 54
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human soul is a divine spark, and it is capable of uniting with God.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter 72
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world was created for the sake of man, and man was created for the sake of God.

c. 1190 — The Guide for the Perplexed, Part III, Chapter 13
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The most important thing for man is to know himself.

c. 1187 — Medical Aphorisms (often cited, but direct source hard to pinpoint definitively)
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable