Do not confuse understanding with a larger vocabulary, sacred writings are beneficial in stimulating desire for inward realization, if one stanza at a time is slowly assimilated. Continual intellectual study results in vanity and the false satisfaction of an undigested knowledge.
Interpretation
Understanding is deeper than merely having a large vocabulary; true knowledge comes from thoughtful reflection.
In this quote, Sri Yukteswar Giri emphasizes the importance of genuine understanding over the superficial acquisition of words. He suggests that sacred texts can inspire personal growth when approached with patience and introspection, rather than being overwhelmed by an abundance of information that may lead to pride without true comprehension.
In practice
Use this quote in a seminar about the importance of deep learning versus rote memorization.
A child is born on that day, and at that hour when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his individual Karma. His horoscope is a challenging portrait, revealing his unalterable past and its probable future result. But the natal chart can be rightly interpreted only by men of intuitive wisdom - These are few.
Youth is impulsive. When our young men grow angry at some real or imaginary wrong, and disfigure their faces with black paint, it denotes that their hearts are black, and that they are often cruel and relentless, and our old men and old women are unable to restrain them. Thus it has ever been.
Sympathy with joy intensifies the sum of sympathy in the world, sympathy with pain does not really diminish the amount of pain.
It is a strange trade that of advocacy. Your intellect, your highest heavenly gift is hung up in the shop window like a loaded pistol for sale.
You have within yourself the answer to every question you propose - if you only knew how to look for it. In the Land of the spirit, you cannot walk by the light of someone else's lamp. You want to borrow mine. I'd rather teach you how to make your own.
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
I enjoy growing older and wiser and learning from my mistakes every single day.
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