Etty Hillesum, formally Ester "Etty" Hillesum

The thinking heart of the barracksÂ…

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.

We are always in search of the redeeming formula, the crystallizing thought.

Greed probably figures in my intellectual life as well, as I attempt to absorb a massive amount of information with consequent mental indigestion.

I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength.

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

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.

Every day I shall put my papers in order and every day I shall say farewell. And the real farewell, when it comes, will only be a small outward confirmation of what has been accomplished within me from day to day.

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

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.

One must marry one's feelings to one's beliefs and ideas. That is probably the only way to achieve a measure of harmony in one's life.