We somehow believe that our point of view is superior, higher than those of the greatest minds either because our point of view is that of our time, and our time, being later than the time of the greatest minds, can be presumed to be superior to their times; or else because we believe that each the greatest minds was right from his point of view, but not, as he claims, simply right.
Leo StraussGod's reasons for communicating with man must be subsumed under his reason for communicating to him his account of his creation of the world - and man.
Leo StraussIt is true that the successful quest for wisdom might lead to the result that wisdom is not the one thing needful. But this result would owe its relevance to the fact that it is the result of the quest for wisdom: the very disavowal of reason must be reasonable disavowal.
Leo StraussIf the highest things are unknowable, then the highest capacity or virtue of man cannot be theoretical wisdom.
Leo Strauss