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.

About Martin Buber

Martin Buberwas an Austrian-Israeli philosopher best known for his philosophy of dialogue, a form of existentialism centered on the distinction between the I-Thou relationship and the I-It relationship. Born in Vienna, Buber came from a family of observant Jews, but broke with Jewish custom to pursue secular studies in philosophy.

More about the author

More quotes from Martin Buber

A person cannot approach the divine by reaching beyond the human. To become human, is what this individual person, has been created for.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

Solitude is the place of purification.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

There are three principles in a man’s being and life, the principle of thought, the principle of speech, and the principle of action. The origin of all conflict between me and my fellow-men is that I do not say what I mean and I don’t do what I say.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

The law is not thrust upon man; it rests deep within him, to waken when the call comes.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

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

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

For sin is just this, what man cannot by its very nature do with his whole being; it is possible to silence the conflict in the soul, but it is not possible to uproot it.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

To be old can be glorious if one has not unlearned how to begin.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

The world is not comprehensible, but it is embraceable: through the embracing of one of its beings.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

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.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

Through the Thou a person becomes I.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)

Play is the exultation of the possible.

Martin Buber

German Jewish Existentialist philosopher and theologian (1878-1965)