Quotes With Meaning
Religion does not help me. The faith that others give to what is unseen, I give to what one can touch, and look at. My gods dwell in temples made with hands; and within the circle of actual experience is my creed made perfect and complete: too complete, it may be, for like many or all of those who have placed their heaven in this earth, I have found in it not merely the beauty of heaven, but the horror of hell also.
Religion does not help me. The faith that others give to what is unseen, I give to what one can touch, and look at. My gods dwell in temples made with hands; and within the circle of actual experience is my creed made perfect and complete: too complete, it may be, for like many or all of those who have placed their heaven in this earth, I have found in it not merely the beauty of heaven, but the horror of hell also.
This quote reflects Oscar Wilde's perspective on faith and religion, emphasizing a preference for tangible experiences over abstract beliefs. He suggests that while many find solace in unseen faith, he derives meaning from the physical world around him. His gods are not ethereal but reside in the creations of human hands. Wilde acknowledges that embracing reality encompasses both its beauty and its darker aspects, illustrating a complex relationship with life. This mindset values freedom to explore the full range of human experience, including both joy and suffering. Ultimately, Wilde's approach encourages a grounded understanding of existence, where personal experience shapes one’s beliefs and values.