Quotes about Contemplation

I reckon silence more profitable than speech, for? in the words of the Preacher, 'The words of wise men are heard in quiet' (Eccles. 9:17).

The highest perfection of human life consists in the mind of man being detached from care, for the sake of God.

We need to close every church in the land for one Sunday and cease listening to a man so we can hear the groan of the Spirit which we in our lush pews have forgotten.

A man can't be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.

I'll tell you what: I believe mysticism is a very serious endeavor. One must be equipped for it.

Human thought has no limit. At its risk and peril, it analyzes and dissects its own fascination. We could almost say that, by a sort of splendid reaction, it fascinates nature; the mysterious world surrounding us returns what it receives; it is likely that contemplators are contemplated.

You look at a star for two reasons, because it is luminous, and because it is impenetrable. You have beside you a sweeter radiance and a greater mystery, woman.

What more could he need, this old man whose little leisure was divided between day-time gardening and night-time contemplation? Was not that narrow space with the sky its ceiling room enough for the worship of God in the most delicate of his works and in the most sublime? A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in -what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.

To speak out aloud when alone is as it were to have a dialogue with the divinity which is within.

You look at a star for two reasons, because it is luminous, and because it is impenetrable.

Though one believes in nothing, there are moments in life when one accepts the religion of the temple nearest at hand.

He believed that faith gives health. He sought to counsel and calm the despairing by pointing out the Man of Resignation, and to transform the grief that contemplates the grave by showing it the grief that looks up to the stars.