Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
One way leads to acquisition, the other leads to nirvana. Realising this a monk should take no pleasure in the respect of others, but should devote himself to solitude.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of choosing a spiritual path over seeking external validation.
In this quote, Gautama Buddha conveys the idea that there are two paths in life: one that focuses on material possessions and external respect, and another that leads to spiritual enlightenment or nirvana. He advocates for a monk to prioritize inner peace and solitude over the transient pleasures of social validation, underscoring the value of self-reflection and spiritual pursuit.
Themes
SpiritualityNirvanaSolitudeInner PeaceMaterialism
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, one could use this quote to remind participants of the importance of seeking inner fulfillment over external recognition.
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
Similar quotes
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Benjamin FranklinRead
The Lord will always prepare a way for you to escape from the trials you will be given if you understand two things. One is that you need to be on the Lord's errand. The second thing you need to understand is that the escape will almost never be out of the trial; it will usually be through it.
Henry B. EyringRead
You don`t have any problems - only this much has to be understood. This very moment you can drop all problems. because they are your creations. Have another look at your problems: the deeper you look, the smaller they will appear. Go on looking at them and by and by they will start disappearing. Go on gazing and suddenly you will find there is emptiness - a beautiful emptiness surrounds you. Nothing to do, nothing to be, because you are already that.
RajneeshRead
Only if you're kind to yourself, can you be kind to others.
Ruby WaxRead
The Buddhaβs principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that we draw must be let go. The only way to fully understand the bodhichitta teachings, the only way to practice them fully, is to abide in the unconditional openness of the prajna, patiently cutting through all our tendencies to hang on.
Pema ChodronRead
A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
Malcolm XRead