
“You shall create beauty not to excite the senses
but to give sustenance to the soul.”
A Thousand Splendid Suns
“You shall create beauty not to excite the senses
but to give sustenance to the soul.”
Book 4; Universal Love III
Mozi
Context: Universal love is really the way of the sage-kings. It is what gives peace to the rulers and sustenance to the people. The gentleman would do well to understand and practise universal love; then he would be gracious as a ruler, loyal as a minister, affectionate as a father, filial as a son, courteous as an elder brother, and respectful as a younger brother. So, if the gentleman desires to be a gracious ruler, a loyal minister, an affectionate father, a filial son, a courteous elder brother, and a respectful younger brother, universal love must be practised. It is the way of the sage-kings and the great blessing of the people.
“There is no work so mean, but it would amply serve me to furnish me with sustenance.”
iv. 35
From Symposium by Xenophon
“If worship is sustenance, then modern worship is fast food.”
Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance (2000, Harvest House Publishers)
“Alms (is) for the purity of your soul, and flourishment and expansion of your sustenence.”
Ayan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p. 316.
Religious Wisdom
“No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.”
In: Philosophy & Social Action (2003)