Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The judgment: You are now before Yama, King of the Dead. In vain will you try to...deny or conceal the evil deeds you have done. ... the mirror in which Yama seems to read your past is your own memory, and also his judgment is your own. It is you yourself who pronounce your own judgment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We are ultimately accountable for our actions, as our memories reflect our true selves.
This quote emphasizes the idea that we cannot escape the consequences of our actions, as our memory serves as a mirror that reflects our past deeds. Yama, the King of the Dead, symbolizes the inevitable judgment we face, which is not imposed by an external authority but rather arises from our own self-awareness and conscience, highlighting personal responsibility for our choices.
Themes
JudgmentMemorySelf-ReflectionResponsibilityConscience
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy lecture discussing personal accountability and the nature of judgment.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes →A 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.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand.
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