Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
If a man who has committed many a misdemeanor does not repent and cleanse his heart of the evil, retribution will come upon his person as sure as the streams run into the ocean which becomes ever deeper and wider. If a man who has committed a misdemeanor come to the knowledge of it, reform himself, and practise goodness, the force of retribution will gradually exhaust itself as a disease gradually loses its baneful influence when the patient perspires.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the inevitability of retribution for wrongdoing and the possibility of redemption through reform and goodness.
Gautama Buddha's quote reflects on the consequences of one's actions, highlighting that failure to repent for wrongdoings will lead to inevitable retribution, akin to the natural flow of streams to the ocean. Conversely, he emphasizes that recognizing one's faults and committing to reform can mitigate the negative impacts of past actions, similar to how a disease lessens as one becomes healthier through perseverance and positive changes.
Themes
RetributionGoodnessReformHeartConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth and the importance of integrity.
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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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