Quotes About Contemplation

We took our Catholicism very seriously. We never missed Mass; our father was a lector, and both our parents taught catechism. At 3 in the afternoon on Good Friday, we gathered in the living room for 10 minutes of silence in front of a painting of the Crucifixion.

Silence can be a very powerful tool. Sometimes it's more powerful to leave you with nothing.

Sometimes, if you really don't know how you feel about a topic, reading how both sides argue it can help.

Anyone who isn't confused or conflicted on the topic of Israel probably isn't looking into it too deeply.

Admitting the force of these contentions, nevertheless, the custom of meeting together in public assembly for the consideration of the most serious, the most exalted topics of human interest is too vitally precious to be lost.

The real discovery is the one which enables me to stop doing philosophy when I want to. The one that gives philosophy peace, so that it is no longer tormented by questions which bring itself into question.

I always expect people to be torn when they see one of my films and divided in some way.

The slow philosophy is not about doing everything in tortoise mode. It's less about the speed and more about investing the right amount of time and attention in the problem so you solve it.

What I loved about Radio 3 back in the olden days, when it didn't give a toss about the youth, were the silences - socking great caesuras just left blank for quiet reflection.

The reason people get lost in thought is that it's unfamiliar territory.

The air is full of ideas,

Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech." –Benjamin

It would be a very good thing if occasionally I thought I knew what I was doing.

I had no desire to be seen by anyone, or talk to anyone. Sometimes out walking I would be in such a peculiar state of mind that I would rush home at the merest hint of another person.

The burden of getting older was borne alone

He was looking into that strange place, the middle distance, the most mysterious, human, and rich of all distances.

He was looking into that strange place, the middle distance, the most mysterious, human, and rich of all distances. And from his eyes came slowly tears, immaculate human tears, before the world touches them. River, window and eyes.

I wonder why that is. I wonder why anything is.

Inhale and hold the evening in your lungs.

He wrote one more paragraph for his own sake, to see what he had to say.

en las playas. Los nazis aprovecharon sobremanera esta circunstancia con fines propagandísticos: «Venid y contemplad nuestro alegre país, tranquilo y normal. Venid y contemplad lo bien que continúa yéndoles incluso a los judíos».

What is philosophy? Albrecht Wellmer, I say, or John McDowell. This is how I know what philosophy is.

Lighting some fine incense and then lying down alone to sleep. Looking into a Chinese mirror that's a little clouded.

I have a strong belief in God... I find religion to be a very personal thing... I am also very spiritual.