Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding suffering and the path to its cessation.
Gautama Buddha's quote highlights the fundamental nature of human experience, where suffering is a central theme. It suggests that wisdom comes from recognizing suffering in both past and present contexts and understanding that the ultimate goal is to find ways to end that suffering. This reflects a deep insight into the human condition and the pursuit of enlightenment and freedom from pain.
Themes
SufferingCessationMindfulnessEnlightenmentBuddhism
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation class, I shared this quote to illustrate the core teachings of Buddhism.
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.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Similar quotes
You must love your work, and not be always looking over the edge of it, wanting your play to begin. And the other is, you must not be ashamed of your work, and think it would be more honorable to you to be doing something else. You must have a pride in your own work and in learning to do it well.
George EliotRead
Don't play everything (or every time); let some things go by... What you don't play can be more important than what you do.
Thelonious MonkRead
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. This prayer was first printed in a monthly bulletin of the Federal Council of Churches and has become enormously popular. It has been circulated in millions of copies.
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When a man is in doubt about this or that in his writing, it will often guide him if he asks himself how it will tell a hundred years hence.
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Nobody should be whipped. Remember that, once and for all. Neither man nor animal can be influenced by anything but suggestion.
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To let the brain work without sufficient material is like racing an engine. It racks itself to pieces.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead