Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The poisonous serpent of afflictions is sleeping in your mind; just as if a black viper were asleep in your room. You must use the hook of precepts to quickly remove it. When the sleeping snake is gone, then you can rest at ease.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote advises that unaddressed mental afflictions can harm us and should be dealt with proactively.
Gautama Buddha's quote highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing the detrimental thoughts and afflictions that can reside within our minds, comparing them to a dangerous, sleeping snake. Just as one would not feel comfortable with a venomous serpent in their space, we cannot find peace with unresolved mental challenges; utilizing the 'hook of precepts' signifies the need for moral guidance and principles to eliminate these harmful thoughts, allowing for clarity and ease of mind.
Themes
MindAfflictionsPreceptsPeaceSerpent
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation workshop, a facilitator might share this quote to emphasize the importance of confronting inner thoughts.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes →A 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.
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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.
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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.
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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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