Simone Weil Quotes

The notion of obligations comes before that of rights, which is subordinate and relative to the former. A right is not effectual by itself, but only in relation to the obligation to which it corresponds, the effective exercise of a right springing not from the individual who possesses it, but from other men who consider themselves as being under a certain obligation towards him. Recognition of an obligation makes it effectual. An obligation which goes unrecognized by anybody loses none of the full force of its existence. A right which goes unrecognized by anybody is not worth very much. It makes nonsense to say that men have, on the one hand, rights, and on the other hand, obligations. Such words only express differences in point of view. The actual relationship between the two is as between object and subject. A man, considered in isolation, only has duties, amongst which are certain duties towards himself. A man left alone in the universe would have no rights whatever, but he would have obligations.

~ Simone Weil

More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic.

~ Simone Weil

Two prisoners whose cells adjoin communicate with each other by knocking on the wall. The wall is the thing which separates them but is also their means of communication. It is the same with us and God. Every separation is a link.

~ Simone Weil

The most important part of teaching is to teach what it is to know.

~ Simone Weil

Humility is attentive patience.

~ Simone Weil

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.

~ Simone Weil

Humanism was not wrong in thinking that truth, beauty, liberty, and equality are of infinite value, but in thinking that man can get them for himself without grace.

~ Simone Weil

The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell.

~ Simone Weil

The role of the intelligence - that part of us which affirms and denies and formulates opinions is merely to submit.

~ Simone Weil

Whatever debases the intelligence degrades the entire human being.

~ Simone Weil

Imagination is always the fabric of social life and the dynamic of history. The influence of real needs and compulsions, of real interests and materials, is indirect because the crowd is never conscious of it.

~ Simone Weil

It is an eternal obligation toward the human being not to let him suffer from hunger when one has a chance of coming to his assistance.

~ Simone Weil

Every perfect life is a parable invented by God.

~ Simone Weil

It is only the impossible that is possible for God. He has given over the possible to the mechanics of matter and the autonomy of his creatures.

~ Simone Weil

Evil being the root of mystery, pain is the root of knowledge.

~ Simone Weil

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.

~ Simone Weil

Beauty always promises, but never gives anything.

~ Simone Weil

Imagination and fiction make up more than three quarters of our real life.

~ Simone Weil

To want friendship is a great fault. Friendship ought to be a gratuitous joy, like the joys afforded by art or life.

~ Simone Weil

I can, therefore I am.

~ Simone Weil

There is one, and only one, thing in modern society more hideous than crime namely, repressive justice.

~ Simone Weil

The future is made of the same stuff as the present.

~ Simone Weil