Etty Hillesum Quotes

Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will be in our troubled world.

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths, or the turning inwards in prayer for five short minutes.

Despite everything, life is full of beauty and meaning.

I really see no other solution than to turn inwards and to root out all the rottenness there. I no longer believe that we can change anything in the world until we first change ourselves. And that seems to me the only lesson to be learned.

Become simple and live simply, not only within yourself but also in your everyday dealings. Don't make ripples all around you, don't try to be interesting, keep your distance, be honest, fight the desire to be thought fascinating by the outside world.

I do believe it is possible to create, even without ever writing a word or painting a picture, by simply molding one's inner life. And that too is a deed.

We have to fight them daily, lake fleas, those many small worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies.

One must also accept that one has 'uncreative' moments. The more honestly one can accept that, the quicker these moments will pass.

That fear of missing out on things makes you miss out on everything.

The externals are simply so many props; everything we need is within us.