What is the essence of theosophy? It is the fact that man, being himself divine, can know the divinity whose life he shares. As an inevitable corollary to this supreme truth comes the fact of the brotherhood of man.
Annie BesantRead
The misery we inflict on sentient beings slackens our human evolution.
Interpretation
Our suffering of others hinders our own growth and humanity.
Annie Besant's quote suggests that when we cause suffering to sentient beings, it not only affects them negatively but also impedes our progress as a species. By acting compassionately and acknowledging the rights and feelings of other beings, we enhance our evolution and moral standing, promoting a more humane society.
In practice
During a talk on ethics, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of treating animals and people with kindness.
What is the essence of theosophy? It is the fact that man, being himself divine, can know the divinity whose life he shares. As an inevitable corollary to this supreme truth comes the fact of the brotherhood of man.
No durable things are built on violent passion. Nature grows her plants in silence and in darkness, and only when they have become strong do they put their heads above the ground.
Death consists, indeed, in a repeated process of unrobing, or unsheathing. The immortal part of man shakes off from itself, one after the other, its outer casings, and - as the snake from its skin, the butterfly from its chrysalis - emerges from one after another, passing into a higher state of consciousness.
Let Indian history be set side by side with Europe history with what there is of the latter century by century and let us see whether India need blush at the comparison.
My own life in India, since I came to it in 1893 to make it my home, has been devoted to one purpose, to give back to India her ancient freedom.
Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment.
The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.
What we call our data are really our own constructions of other peopleβs constructions of what they and their compatriots are up to.
I am this bundle of what has been, and what has been accomplished.
The most notable thing about Time is that it is so purely relative. A large amount of reminiscence is, by common consent, conceded to the drowning man; and it is not past belief that one may review an entire courtship while removing one's gloves.
They'd smash up the world if they thought it would make a pretty noise.
A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.