Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The self of which you speak, whether it is the great self or the small self, is only a concept that does not correspond to any reality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that our idea of the 'self' is merely a conceptual construct without a tangible reality.
Gautama Buddha speaks to the nature of the self, suggesting that both the expansive and limited perspectives of selfhood are illusory notions. He indicates that these concepts do not reflect a true essence or reality, urging individuals to look beyond these identities to find a more profound understanding of existence.
Themes
SelfConceptRealityIllusionBuddhism
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical discussion about identity and existence.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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