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.
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
I know more than I can express in words, and the little I can express would not have been expressed, had I not known more.
Vladimir NabokovRead
Dope never helped anybody sing better or play music better or do anything better. All dope can do for you is kill you - and kill you the long, slow, hard way.
Billie HolidayRead
Many words have been granted me, and some are wise, and some are false, but only three are holy: "I will it!
Ayn RandRead
We consider that any man who can fiddle all through one of those Virginia Reels without losing his grip may be depended upon in any kind of musical emergency.
Mark TwainRead
Move forward and let others do the same. Simple. This is a guiding principle everyone should have.
Pope FrancisRead
Be patient, even if every possibility seems closed.
RumiRead