Bernard Bolzano (1781-1848)
Bernard Bolzano (1781-1848)
Bohemian mathematician, theologian, and philosopher
About Morality
The principle moral law is the interest of public good. Validity of this supreme moral law is independent of God, and therefore of religion as well. Even God himself complies with this law, because his absolute freedom rests in the very perfect harmony between his will and the moral law.
About Bible
The Scriptures will still be illuminating and uplifting even if perhaps events happened differently from how they are described. The moral imperative of Jesus is binding even for those who don’t believe in his historical existence. The faith means that we adhere to something because it is morally beneficial, not because it it true. Although the Scriptures are officially accepted as a source of knowledge, in reality, it is necessary to deal with them as an uplifting book.
About Faith
God does not reveal himself to generations or nations because these are only notions, not real beings. Religious belief of an individual, no matter how much it differs from the beliefs of others, is the true, one and only, manifestation of God.
About Prayer
Oh, leave us live in the sweet illusion that God can hear us. Even if the enemies of religion were right and God paid no attention to human pleas, a prayer would not cease to be useful. To be sure, it provides those who pray relief and comfort.
About Immortality
Even if our belief in immortality was only human imagination, even then it would deserve to be kept as an illusion that is more valuable than the truth because harsh truths bring us down.
About People
They are equal in essential matters. Since the moment that Jesus declared equality among all people, sovereigns cannot exercise the same despotism towards their subjects anymore. Otherwise they would face the threat of an uprising.
The very circumstance, that we are a nation composed of disparate parts, could elevate us to become one of the most fortunate nations of Europe. If only we could suppress the spirit of partisanship.
The bitterness, that this part of the citizenry is feeling, originates from the privileges that are enjoyed by Germans by birth, and by those who joined them. While native Germans and individuals, who a long time ago abandoned the Czech language and custom have precedence in countless, very important matters, the Czech segment of the nation lives altogether in regretful poverty and oppression.
Clementinum - Chapel of Mirrors (Klementinum)
Bolzano
