"To seek the timeless way we must first know the quality without a name. There is a central quality which is the root criterion of life and spirit in a man, a town, a building, or a wilderness. This quality is objective and precise, but it cannot be named"
- Christopher Alexander
About this Quote
This quote by Christopher Alexander speaks to the idea that there is a quality that exists in all elements of life, but it is difficult to take into words. This quality is the root criterion of life and spirit, and it is both unbiased and accurate. It is something that is felt, but can not be named. Alexander suggests that in order to seek the timeless way, we should initially acknowledge this quality without a name. This quality is something that exists in all elements of life, from a guy to a building or a wilderness. It is something that is important to life and spirit, and it is something that we need to acknowledge in order to seek the classic way.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"