Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Life is like the harp string, if it is strung too tight it won't play, if it is too loose it hangs, the tension that produces the beautiful sound lies in the middle.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life requires balance; too much tension or too little leads to discord.
This quote by Gautama Buddha emphasizes the importance of balance in life. Just like a harp string must be taut enough to create sound yet loose enough to avoid breaking, our lives need a delicate equilibrium between stress and relaxation to thrive and produce harmony. Extreme states on either end can lead to dissatisfaction, whereas finding the middle ground fosters a fulfilling existence.
Themes
BalanceLifeHarmonyTensionHappiness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about mental health, one might emphasize the need for balance with this quote.
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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Every junkie, he thought, is a recording.
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As long as we don't die, this is gonna be one hell of a story.
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