Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Irrigators channel waters; fletchers straighten arrows; carpenters bend wood; the wise master themselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mastering oneself is key to true wisdom.
In this quote, Buddha emphasizes the importance of self-mastery as the ultimate form of skill and wisdom. Just as irrigators, fletchers, and carpenters refine physical materials to serve their purposes, true wisdom comes from the ability to understand and control one's own mind and actions.
Themes
Self-MasteryWisdomMindfulnessDisciplineSelf-Control
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a personal development workshop to inspire attendees to focus on self-improvement.
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
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