Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
If you determine your course With force or speed, You miss the way of the dharma. Quietly consider What is right and what is wrong. Receiving all opinions equally, Without haste, wisely, Observe the dharma.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of mindful contemplation over rushed decisions when navigating the path of righteousness.
In this quote, Gautama Buddha highlights the significance of taking time to reflect on what is truly right and wrong, rather than hastily choosing a direction based solely on force or speed. By encouraging the reception of all opinions and the observance of dharma with wisdom, it serves as a reminder to approach life's challenges with a calm and thoughtful mindset, ensuring that our choices align with ethical principles and understanding.
In practice
During a meditation retreat, this quote can be shared to emphasize the value of inner peace.
Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
A 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.
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.
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.
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.
The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Today's greatest labor-saving device is tomorrow.
Men honor what lies within the sphere of their knowledge, but do not realize how dependent they are on what lies beyond it.
Happy are they that hear their detractions, and can put them to mending.
The fact to which we have got to cling, as to a lifebelt, is that it is possible to be a normal decent person and yet be fully alive.
Men should strive to think much and know little.
Every man of genius sees the world at a different angle from his fellows, and there is his tragedy.
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