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There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it. To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.
Gautama Buddha
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Evil exists to highlight the value of good, and true purity requires selflessness amidst material wealth.

This quote from Gautama Buddha emphasizes the duality of existence, suggesting that the presence of evil is necessary to understand and appreciate goodness. It underscores the importance of living a life of selflessness, where one should not cling to possessions or selfish desires, especially in times of plenty, as this is essential to achieving a higher state of purity and altruism.

Themes

GoodEvilPuritySelflessnessAbundanceLife

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about moral philosophy at a community event.

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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
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