Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Impure thoughts lead to suffering in one's life.
This quote emphasizes the idea that our state of mind directly influences our actions and the consequences that follow. When a person acts with negative or impure intentions, the resulting suffering is inevitable and will follow them, much like a wheel follows the footsteps of an ox. It highlights the importance of cultivating a pure mind to achieve a more positive life experience.
Themes
MindSufferingActionsImpurityConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, this quote can be shared to remind participants of the importance of mindfulness in their thoughts.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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