QuoteProject
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.
Gautama Buddha
ShareWTF𝕏

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

Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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.
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 book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.
Carl SaganRead
How could you reach the pearl by only looking at the sea? If you seek the pearl, be a diver: the diver needs several qualities: he must trust his rope and his life to the Friend's hand, he must stop breathing, and he must jump.
RumiRead
Legends die hard. They survive as truth rarely does.
Helen HayesRead
We have a spiritual responsibility to be consciously grateful because that energy's frequency flows from us and assists in our own healing, our brother's and sister's healing, and ultimately the healing of the planet, our EarthMother.
Louise HayRead
Mindfulness is attentiveness, moment to moment. What's happening right now and what's coming up in me in response to what's happening right now. Importantly, this is in the service of being able to choose wisely so that I avoid complicating my own life and the lives of others.
Sylvia BoorsteinRead
Only a life lived in a certain spirit is worth living. It is a remarkable fact that a life lived entirely from the ego is dull not only for the person himself but for all concerned.
Carl JungRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.