Martin Buber
1878-1965 • Austrian-Israeli
Jewish Mysticism
Jewish philosopher known for I and Thou and his collections of Hasidic tales. Taught that the divine is found in authentic encounter.
Key Works
- I and Thou
- Tales of the Hasidim
- The Way of Man
104
quotes in library
Quotes by Martin Buber
104 quotes“Recover the capacity, and the eclipse passes.”
recoveryThe Eclipse of God (paraphrase)
“This is religious work. And it is also human work.”
religiousThe Eclipse of God (paraphrase)
“Not in the cult, but in the encounter, do we meet God.”
cultThe Eclipse of God (paraphrase)
“Religion can become a barrier when it forgets this.”
religionThe Eclipse of God (paraphrase)
“And religion fulfills itself when it points back to the encounter.”
religionThe Eclipse of God (paraphrase)
“Authentic Judaism is not the keeping of rules.”
judaismOn Judaism
“Authentic Judaism is the meeting of God in the deeds of every day.”
judaismOn Judaism (paraphrase)
“Through the rules, the meeting becomes possible.”
rulesOn Judaism (paraphrase)
“But the rules without the meeting are dust.”
rulesOn Judaism (paraphrase)
“Israel is called to be the people of the meeting.”
israelOn Judaism (paraphrase)
“This is the prophetic vocation.”
propheticOn Judaism (paraphrase)
“And it is also the vocation of every authentic religious person.”
vocationOn Judaism (paraphrase)
“In the moment of decision, no one can decide for you.”
decisionBetween Man and Man
“You stand alone before the choice.”
decisionBetween Man and Man
“And the choice forms your soul.”
choiceBetween Man and Man (paraphrase)
“Choose carefully. Choose with attention. Choose with conscience.”
choiceBetween Man and Man (paraphrase)
“And whatever you choose, take responsibility.”
choiceBetween Man and Man (paraphrase)
“This is the moral life.”
moralBetween Man and Man (paraphrase)
“In the end, all real living is meeting.”
livingI and Thou (closing emphasis)
Explore More Teachers
Discover wisdom from 500+ spiritual teachers across all traditions.
Browse All Teachers