Edification (n.) depends less on choosing the parson or the book than on the resolute choice to let oneself be edified — whoever wills it will be edified even by a mediocre parson; the good hearer, however clever, renounces criticism.
Edification (n.) is what the learned professor cannot give — "the congregation can't follow me" — whereas Socrates was great because he could talk with everybody so that everybody understood him, and constantly said the same thing.
Edification (n.) by speech that describes faith and love in glowing colors is a painted wall — asked “how shall I come to love thus?”, it can only answer that those who have it have it; it speaks only to those who need no guidance.
Edification (n.) or building up means building from the ground, height that is depth reversed; that is why no one "builds up" castles in the air.
Edification (n.) belongs to love alone, yet like love it can give itself away into anything: no word edifies by itself, and none cannot be spoken edifyingly.
Edification (n.) is no privilege of the gifted, like art or poetry: anyone's daily conduct could edify as much, if he had love.
Edification (n.) cannot tempt anyone the way building, teaching or disciplining can, because it means being the servant — so only love wants to edify.
Edification (n.) through overcoming oneself alone satisfies love — and is the only way to edify; tearing down, and edifying through another, satisfy the sensual man.
Edification (n.) has one sight that is truly edifying: love building up; whatever horrors make you wish you were never born, watch love edify and you are edified in living.
Edification (n.) comes only from the infinite, never from the finite.
Edification (n.) is first of all dismaying: it is for the sick, and the healthy man is alarmed to find a physician treating him as a patient.
The Edification (n.) is the gentlest thing there is and also the most imperious; it is the least of all loose talk, nothing is so binding.
Edification (n.) that comforts the old by saying it will soon be over would make the young tired of life; whatever edifies only one age is a deceitful compromise.
Edification (n.) is impossible en masse — even more impossible than being "in love en quatre."