I beg of you always to dwell upon the necessity of a thorough understanding of principles, in order to stop the vivacity of his mind, and please do not forget to meditate upon the subject of our discussion.
Nicolas MalebrancheJust as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to create.
Nicolas MalebrancheYou cannot of yourself move your arm or alter your position, situation, posture, do to other men good or evil, or effect the least change in the world.
Nicolas MalebrancheAll creatures are united to God alone in an immediate union. They depend essentially and directly upon Him. Being all alike equally impotent, they cannot be in reciprocal dependence upon one another.
Nicolas Malebranche