Soul

Soul

The soul, in many mythological, religious, philosophical, and psychological traditions, is the incorporeal and, in many conceptions, immortal essence of a person, living thing, or object. According to some religions (including the Abrahamic religions in most of their forms), souls—or at least immortal souls capable of union with the divine—belong only to human beings. For example, the Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas attributed "soul" (anima) to all organisms but taught that only human souls are immortal. Other religions (most notably Jainism) teach that all biological organisms have souls, and others further still that even non-biological entities (such as rivers and mountains) possess souls. This latter belief is called animism. Anima mundi and the Dharmic Ātman are concepts of a "world soul."

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Famous quotes containing the word soul:

    I am disgraced, impeached, and baffled here,
    Pierced to the soul with slander’s venomed spear.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    If you are well off and can afford to spend ten or twenty-five dollars a day to hire some patient soul to listen to your troubles you can be readjusted to the crazy scheme of things and spare yourself the humiliation of becoming a Christian Scientist. You can have your ego trimmed or removed, as you wish, just like a wart or bunion.
    Henry Miller (1891–1980)

    I shall despair. There is no creature loves me,
    And if I die no soul will pity me.
    And wherefore should they, since that I myself
    Find in myself no pity to myself?
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)