Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A spiritual life is essential for true existence, just like fire is essential for a candle to burn.
This quote emphasizes the idea that for humans to thrive and find deeper meaning in their lives, they require a spiritual dimension. Just as a candle cannot fulfill its purpose without the flame that ignites it, individuals need a spiritual foundation to illuminate their existence and give it significance.
Themes
SpiritualityLifeExistenceMeaningPurpose
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational talk about finding purpose in life.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes βA kind man who makes good use of wealth is rightly said to possess a great treasure; but the miser who hoards up his riches will have no profit.
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There are having flowers in Spring, breezes in Summer, moon in Autumn, snows in Winter. If there is nothing worrying over you, it will be the best seasons at all times.
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Make an island of yourself, make yourself your refuge; there is no other refuge. Make truth your island, make truth your refuge; there is no other refuge.
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When a wise man is advised of his errors, he will reflect on and improve his conduct. When his misconduct is pointed out, a foolish man will not only disregard the advice but rather repeat the same error.
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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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His mouth opens. From inside him comes a slow stream, without breath, without interruption. It flows up through his body and out upon me; it passes through the cabin, through the wreck; washing the cliffs and shores of the island, it runs northward and southward to the ends of the earth. Soft and cold, dark and unending, it beats against my eyelids, against the skin of my face.
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