Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
How easy it is to see your brother's faults, How hard it is to face your own. You winnow his in the wind like chaff, But yours you hide, Like a cheat covering up an unlucky throw. Dwelling on your brother's faults Multiplies your own. You are far from the end of your journey. The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. See how you love.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the ease of criticizing others while often ignoring our own shortcomings. It encourages self-reflection and love as essential aspects of personal growth.
Gautama Buddha's quote speaks to the human tendency to focus on the faults of others rather than our own. It reminds us that criticizing others may serve to magnify our own flaws and that true insight lies within our hearts. The quote suggests that genuine understanding and love for ourselves and others is a journey that requires introspection rather than external judgment.
Themes
Self-ReflectionAcceptanceLoveJudgmentGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, one could use this quote to discuss the importance of self-awareness and personal accountability.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes →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.
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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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