Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage.
Sri AurobindoRead
Perfect health, sincerity, honesty, straightforwardness, courage, disinterestedness, unselfishness, patience, endurance, perseverance, peace, calm, self control are all things that are taught infinitely better by example than by beautiful speeches.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True qualities like health and sincerity are better demonstrated through actions rather than just words.
Sri Aurobindo emphasizes the importance of leading by example when it comes to teaching core human values and traits. While speeches can inspire, it is the lived experiences and behaviors of individuals that most effectively convey virtues like honesty, courage, and perseverance. Therefore, to instill these values in others, one must embody them consistently in their own life.
Themes
HealthSincerityHonestyExampleEducationValuesLeadership
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational seminar on leadership, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of role models.
More from Sri Aurobindo
All quotes →To listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs.
Sri AurobindoRead
Indian religion has always felt that since the minds, the temperaments and the intellectual affinities of men are unlimited in their variety, a perfect liberty of thought and of worship must be allowed to the individual in his approach to the Infinite.
Sri AurobindoRead
Be conscious first of thyself within, then think and act. All living thought is a world in preparation; all real act is a thought manifested. The material world exists because an idea began to play in divine self–consciousness.
Sri AurobindoRead
Evolution is not finished; reason is not the last word nor the reasoning animal the supreme figure of Nature. As man emerged out of the animal, so out of man the superman emerges.
Sri AurobindoRead
Impossibility is only a sum of greater unrealised possibles. It veils an advanced stage and a yet unaccomplished journey.
Sri AurobindoRead
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