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About this quote

What does it mean?
Human nature and God are mutually illuminating; knowing one requires knowing the other.
In plain terms
To know God, you must know human nature, and vice versa.
What can you take from it?
Understanding self and God are linked.

Where it applies

  • self-study
  • theology study
  • meditation

Putting it to work

  • self-reflection
  • theological study
  • mindfulness

Questions to consider

  • How do you understand human nature?
  • What does knowing God mean to you?

Another view

Some argue divine knowledge is transcendent and requires no human knowledge.

More from Swami Vivekananda

  1. Truth does not pay homage to any society, ancient or modern. Society has to pay homage to Truth or die.

    Permalink to quote #170
  2. Watch people do their most common actions; these are indeed the things that will tell you the real character of a great person.

    Permalink to quote #172
  3. To believe blindly is to degenerate the human soul. Be an atheist if you want, but do not believe in anything unquestioningly.

    Permalink to quote #169

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