Huston Cummings Smith (1919–2016) was an American religious studies scholar and philosopher known for his influential work on world religions. His writings shaped modern comparative religion, emphasizing the spiritual depth and wisdom of diverse faiths.
Born in Suzhou, China, to Methodist missionary parents, Smith moved to the U.S. at 17. He earned a PhD in philosophy from the University of Chicago (1945) and taught at Washington University in St. Louis, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT,) and Syracuse University. His research explored religion’s mystical and experiential aspects, leading him to study and practice multiple faiths.
Smith’s landmark books include The Religions of Man (1958,) later revised as The World’s Religions (1991,) a widely used religious studies text. Other notable works include Forgotten Truth: The Primordial Tradition (1976,) Beyond the Post-Modern Mind (1982,) and Why Religion Matters (2000.) His final book, And Live Rejoicing (2012,) reflected on his lifelong spiritual journey.
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In nature, the emphasis is in what is rather than what ought to be.
—Huston Smith
Topics: Reality
It’s often difficult for us to act compassionately, but sacred art eases the difficulty by ennobling us.
—Huston Smith
Topics: Difficulty
We all carry it within us; supreme strength, the fullness of wisdom, unquenchable joy. It is never thwarted and cannot be destroyed.
—Huston Smith
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