After the war, alongside a flood of humanism, a flood of hatred will sweep over the world. Hearing these words, I was certain once again: I will go to war against this hatred.

— Etty Hillesum (1914–1943), Tagebuchschreiberin

Source: Une vie bouleversée, übers. Philippe Noble, S. 213

Topics: Peace & Rest, Ethical Questions, Courage & Strength

Occasions: Encouragement, For Reflection

Etty Hillesum

Die niederländisch-jüdische Autorin Etty Hillesum führte während der nationalsozialistischen Besatzung in Amsterdam und im Durchgangslager Westerbork Tagebücher und Briefe, bevor sie 1943 in Auschwitz ermordet wurde. Ihre posthum veröffentlichten Schriften zeugen von einer undogmatischen Gottessuche, dem Verzicht auf Hass sowie dem Entschluss, das Schicksal ihres verfolgten Volkes solidarisch zu teilen. Für Bibelleser veranschaulichen ihre Texte ein Ringen um Glauben, Gebet und Mitmenschlichkeit unter extremen Bedingungen, auch wenn ihre Haltung von Kritikern mitunter als weltfremd diskutiert wurde.

All quotes by Etty Hillesum (19)

More on this topic

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo

You have enough time to do everything God wants you to do.
Craig Groeschel

And when this cup of silence now spreads deep around us, let us hear that full sound of the world, which invisibly widens around us, the exalted song of praise of all Your children.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

O Lord, make me an instrument of your peace! Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy.
Francis of Assisi

Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things pass away. God never changes. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.
Teresa of Ávila

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Reinhold Niebuhr

Darkness cannot be overcome with more darkness, only with light. Violence cannot be overcome with more violence, only with peace.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Security in the ultimate gives serenity in the penultimate.
Romano Guardini

All quotes · lumen.bible