We must feel the reality and presence of God through all external things, without exception, as clearly as our hands feel the substance of paper through the penholder and the nib.”
-- Simone Weil (chapter 1 paragraph 3)

Importance: This quote, from early in the book, shows Weil's deep interest in finding and establishing contact with the divine through all things, even the mundane.

My greatest desire is to lost not only all will but all personal being.”
-- Simone Weil (chapter 3 paragraph 4)

Importance: This quote encapsulates a key theme in Weil's religious thought, that is, the aim of being completely subsumed and overtaken by a force larger than herself (e.g., God).

Chance—for I always prefer saying chance rather than Providence.”
-- Simone Weil (chapter 4 paragraph 20)

Importance: Here Weil recasts the Christian idea of the sovereignty of God by rejecting any notion of divine intervention and instead opting for divine contingency.

If I am sad, it comes primarily from the permanent sadness that destiny has imprinted forever upon...
-- Simone Weil (chapter 4 paragraph 55)