"私を最も畏敬させるのは二つのもの星空と私の中の道徳律"
Quote meaning
Imagine this: You're lying on your back in the middle of a field at night, staring up at the vast, endless sky. Stars are scattered across it like glitter on black velvet. It's stunning, right? That incredible feeling of awe you get when you think about how big the universe is—that's part of what the quote is getting at. The other part? It's that deep sense of right and wrong we all have inside us, our moral compass.
Kant, the guy who said this, lived in the 18th century—a time when people were really starting to think about the universe and our place in it. He was a philosopher, and he spent a lot of time pondering big questions like these. Imagine living back then, with no light pollution, just staring up at the sky. It must have been even more breathtaking. But Kant wasn't just about the stars. He believed that just like the vastness of the cosmos, our sense of morality is something grand and mysterious.
Take a moment to think about Malala Yousafzai. She's that brave young woman who stood up for girls' education in Pakistan, despite the very real danger she faced. Malala could have kept her head down and stayed quiet, but something inside her wouldn't let her do that. Her inner moral law drove her to speak up, even when it almost cost her her life. And just like the night sky, her courage and sense of what's right are awe-inspiring.
So how can you use this idea in your own life? Start by paying attention to those moments when you feel a strong sense of awe or rightness. Maybe it's when you're by the ocean, feeling small and humble, or when you see someone stand up for what they believe in. Let those feelings guide you. When you're faced with tough decisions, try to tap into that inner moral compass. Ask yourself, "What feels profoundly right or wrong here?" Trust that feeling.
Picture this: You're in a meeting at work, and your boss suggests a shortcut that would save time but isn't really honest. Everyone else seems on board, but your gut's telling you it's not right. You could just go along with it—keep the peace, no waves. But then you remember Malala, and that awe you feel looking at the stars. You decide to speak up, to trust that inner voice. It’s scary, but it’s the right thing to do.
Life's full of these moments, big and small. When you’re feeling lost or unsure, look up at the sky. Remember that vastness, and then look inside yourself. There's a kind of magic in that—realizing that the universe out there and the universe within you are both boundless and beautiful. It’s about feeling connected to something greater, both outside and inside.
And hey, next time you’re out on a clear night, take a moment to look up. Let yourself feel that awe. Then take a deep breath and remember that the same kind of wonder lives inside you, guiding you to do what's right. That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?
Kant, the guy who said this, lived in the 18th century—a time when people were really starting to think about the universe and our place in it. He was a philosopher, and he spent a lot of time pondering big questions like these. Imagine living back then, with no light pollution, just staring up at the sky. It must have been even more breathtaking. But Kant wasn't just about the stars. He believed that just like the vastness of the cosmos, our sense of morality is something grand and mysterious.
Take a moment to think about Malala Yousafzai. She's that brave young woman who stood up for girls' education in Pakistan, despite the very real danger she faced. Malala could have kept her head down and stayed quiet, but something inside her wouldn't let her do that. Her inner moral law drove her to speak up, even when it almost cost her her life. And just like the night sky, her courage and sense of what's right are awe-inspiring.
So how can you use this idea in your own life? Start by paying attention to those moments when you feel a strong sense of awe or rightness. Maybe it's when you're by the ocean, feeling small and humble, or when you see someone stand up for what they believe in. Let those feelings guide you. When you're faced with tough decisions, try to tap into that inner moral compass. Ask yourself, "What feels profoundly right or wrong here?" Trust that feeling.
Picture this: You're in a meeting at work, and your boss suggests a shortcut that would save time but isn't really honest. Everyone else seems on board, but your gut's telling you it's not right. You could just go along with it—keep the peace, no waves. But then you remember Malala, and that awe you feel looking at the stars. You decide to speak up, to trust that inner voice. It’s scary, but it’s the right thing to do.
Life's full of these moments, big and small. When you’re feeling lost or unsure, look up at the sky. Remember that vastness, and then look inside yourself. There's a kind of magic in that—realizing that the universe out there and the universe within you are both boundless and beautiful. It’s about feeling connected to something greater, both outside and inside.
And hey, next time you’re out on a clear night, take a moment to look up. Let yourself feel that awe. Then take a deep breath and remember that the same kind of wonder lives inside you, guiding you to do what's right. That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?
MORE QUOTES BY Immanuel Kant
FEATURED QUOTES
