I've met the Dalai Lama briefly, but I would probably say my grandfather was the wisest person I ever met. He was my mother's father, an Indian, a family doctor, and very unlike me in that he was deeply religious.
Interpretation
The speaker emphasizes the wisdom of their grandfather over the Dalai Lama, highlighting the personal connection and respect for family wisdom.
In this quote, Salman Rushdie reflects on the profound impact his grandfather had on him, suggesting that wisdom can often be found in familial relationships rather than solely in renowned figures. He contrasts his grandfather's deep religious faith with his own identity, underscoring how personal experiences shape our understanding of wisdom.
In practice
Use this quote during a family gathering to highlight the importance of familial wisdom.
I've been fascinated by Machiavelli since I was very young. I've always felt that he had a bad rap from history, and that he was actually a person quite unlike what we now think of as Machiavellian. He was a republican. He disliked totalitarian government.
Killing people because you don't like their ideas - it's a bad thing.
faith without doubt is addiction
I am clearly vulnerable to these more passionate and volatile unstable relationships. I am trying to not be so vulnerable.
In India, as elsewhere in our darkening world, religion is the poison in the blood. Where religion intervenes, mere innocence is no excuse. Yet we go on skating around this issue, speaking of religion in the fashionable language of 'respect.' What is there to respect in any of this, or in any of the crimes now being committed almost daily around the world in religion's dreaded name?
Reality is a question of perspective; the further you get from the past, the more concrete and plausible it seems - but as you approach the present, it inevitably seems more and more incredible.
It is only through shadows that one comes to know the light.
Dollars and guns are no substitutes for brains and will power.
It's not when you realize that nothing can help you β religion, pride, anything β it's when you realize that you don't need any aid.
You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.
Surrender comes when you no longer ask, 'Why is this happening to me?'
But the whim we have of happiness is somewhat thus. By certain valuations, and averages, of our own striking, we come upon some sort of average terrestrial lot; this we fancy belongs to us by nature, and of indefeasible rights. It is simple payment of our wages, of our deserts; requires neither thanks nor complaint. Foolish soul! What act of legislature was there that thou shouldst be happy? A little while ago thou hadst no right to be at all.
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