Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The fool who thinks he is wise is just a fool. The fool who knows he is a fool is wise indeed.
Interpretation
True wisdom comes from recognizing one's own ignorance.
This quote by Gautama Buddha highlights the difference between genuine wisdom and mere self-deception. A person who believes they are wise without acknowledging their limitations is simply foolish, while the one who understands their own foolishness possesses real wisdom, as it shows self-awareness and humility.
In practice
In a discussion about personal growth and learning, this quote can serve as a reminder of the importance of humility.
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.
The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.
The wisest of the wise may err.
Wisdom comes by disillusionment.
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.
All things to do with drag are inherently therapeutic because the realization of your own insanity is the beginning of sanity.
Experience is, for me, the highest authority.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.