QuoteProject
The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion.
Bodhidharma
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Ignorance breeds negative emotions like greed, anger, and delusion.

This quote by Bodhidharma speaks to the root causes of human suffering—greed, anger, and delusion—which stem from an ignorant mind. It highlights how these 'three poisons' perpetuate a cycle of afflictions and negative passions, suggesting that true understanding and awareness are essential for overcoming such suffering and achieving a more enlightened state of being.

Themes

IgnoranceGreedAngerDelusionSuffering

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech about personal growth, you can use this quote to emphasize the importance of self-awareness in overcoming negative traits.

More from Bodhidharma

Not creating delusions is enlightenment.
BodhidharmaRead
The Way is basically perfect. It doesn't require perfecting.
BodhidharmaRead
Buddhas move freely through birth and death, appearing and disappearing at will.
BodhidharmaRead
If we should be blessed by some great reward, such as fame or fortune, it's the fruit of a seed planted by us in the past.
BodhidharmaRead
Freeing oneself from words is liberation.
BodhidharmaRead
The Dharma is the truth that all natures are pure.
BodhidharmaRead

Similar quotes

Gratitude is one of the most effective ways of getting in touch with your soul.
Deepak ChopraRead
The core of understanding lies in the individual mind, and until that is touched everything is uncertain and superficial. Truth cannot be perceived until we come to fully understand our potential and ourselves. After all, knowledge in the martial arts ultimately means self-knowledge.
Bruce LeeRead
People are afraid, very much afraid of those who know themselves. They have a certain power, a certain aura and a certain magnetism.
RajneeshRead
The biggest lesson I've learned is that hurt people hurt people, and kindness is just as contagious. So if you can focus your efforts on engineering kindness, it will prevail.
Whitney Wolfe HerdRead
Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them.
Lou HoltzRead
My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent.
Ulysses S. GrantRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.