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About this quote

What does it mean?
Human existence and divine existence are mutually dependent.
In plain terms
You need God to exist, and God needs you for meaning.
What can you take from it?
Recognize the mutual need between Creator and creation.

Where it applies

  • spiritual crisis
  • existential reflection

Putting it to work

  • finding purpose

Questions to consider

  • Why do you exist?
  • What does God need?

Another view

It presents a specific theological view not shared by all.

More from Martin Buber

  1. God wants man to fulfill his commands as a human being and with the quality peculiar to human beings.

    Permalink to quote #17
  2. I do, indeed, close my door at times and surrender myself to a book, but only because I can open the door again and see a human face looking at me.

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. God is the mysterium tremendum that appears and overthrows, but he is also the mystery of the self-evident, nearer to me than my I.

    Permalink to quote #16

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