Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.
Meaning of the quote
Elie Wiesel, a famous American novelist, believed that not caring about others or the world around you is the worst thing you can do. He thought that being indifferent, or not caring at all, is the most evil and harmful thing a person can be. Wiesel felt that when people don't care about the suffering of others, it allows terrible things to happen. He wanted everyone to be aware and concerned about the world, so they could work to make it a better place.
About Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel was a renowned Romanian-American writer, professor, and Holocaust survivor who authored 57 books, including the powerful memoir “Night.” He was a vocal advocate for human rights, speaking out against various atrocities and oppression worldwide. Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for his tireless efforts to promote peace and understanding.
More quotes from Elie Wiesel
I do not recall a Jewish home without a book on the table.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
What does mysticism really mean? It means the way to attain knowledge. It’s close to philosophy, except in philosophy you go horizontally while in mysticism you go vertically.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Most people think that shadows follow, precede or surround beings or objects. The truth is that they also surround words, ideas, desires, deeds, impulses and memories.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Mankind must remember that peace is not God’s gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
I decided to devote my life to telling the story because I felt that having survived I owe something to the dead. and anyone who does not remember betrays them again.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
There is a difference between a book of two hundred pages from the very beginning, and a book of two hundred pages which is the result of an original eight hundred pages. The six hundred are there. Only you don’t see them.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
I marvel at the resilience of the Jewish people. Their best characteristic is their desire to remember. No other people has such an obsession with memory.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Our obligation is to give meaning to life and in doing so to overcome the passive, indifferent life.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
In Jewish history there are no coincidences.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
I have not lost faith in God. I have moments of anger and protest. Sometimes I’ve been closer to him for that reason.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Because I remember, I despair. Because I remember, I have the duty to reject despair.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
There are victories of the soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Some stories are true that never happened.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Not to transmit an experience is to betray it.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
We have to go into the despair and go beyond it, by working and doing for somebody else, by using it for something else.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Man, as long as he lives, is immortal. One minute before his death he shall be immortal. But one minute later, God wins.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Peace is our gift to each other.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
A destruction, an annihilation that only man can provoke, only man can prevent.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Because of indifference, one dies before one actually dies.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Hope is like peace. It is not a gift from God. It is a gift only we can give one another.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
I write to understand as much as to be understood.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
That is my major preoccupation, memory, the kingdom of memory. I want to protect and enrich that kingdom, glorify that kingdom and serve it.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)
Once you bring life into the world, you must protect it. We must protect it by changing the world.
Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (1928-2016)