QuoteProject
As far as your personal requirements are concerned, the ideal is to _x000D_ have fewer involvements, fewer obligations, and fewer affairs, _x000D_ business or whatever. However, so far as the interest of the larger _x000D_ community is concerned, you must have as many involvements as _x000D_ possible and as many activities as possible.
Dalai Lama
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Balance personal needs with community responsibilities.

This quote emphasizes the importance of balancing one's personal life with the commitments and responsibilities we owe to the larger community. While it is crucial to simplify one's own life by reducing personal involvements and obligations, it is equally important to engage actively with the community and contribute to its welfare. The Dalai Lama suggests that we should find a harmony where our personal peace does not sacrifice our duty to others.

Themes

BalanceCommunityPersonal LifeInvolvementObligation

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about community service, this quote can highlight the importance of individual contribution.

More from Dalai Lama

Human beings are not intrinsically selfish, which isolates us from others. We are essentially social animals who depend on others to meet our needs. We achieve happiness, prosperity and progress through social interaction. Therefore, having a kind and helpful attitude contributes to our own and others' happiness.
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Material objects give rise to physical happiness, while spiritual development gives rise to mental happiness. Since we experience both physical and mental happiness, we need both material and spiritual development. This is why, for our own good and that of society we need to balance material progress with inner development.
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All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.
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The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves. On a simple level we find that if we have a compassionate heart we naturally have more friends. And scientists today are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health.
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My religion is kindness. _x000D_ A good mind, a good heart, _x000D_ warm feelings these are _x000D_ the most important things.
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If a person's basic state of mind is serene and calm, then it is possible for this inner peace to overwhelm a painful physical experience. On the other hand, if someone is suffering from depression, anxiety, or any form of emotional distress, then even if he or she happens to be enjoying physical comforts, he will not really be able to experience the happiness that these could bring.
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