Learning to be silent is far more difficult and far more important than learning to recite prayers.
Interpretation
True wisdom comes from listening and being silent rather than just speaking or reciting words.
This quote emphasizes the profound value of silence and contemplation in spiritual and personal development. It suggests that while reciting prayers or words can be easy and superficial, the deeper understanding and connection found in silence is much more challenging yet essential for true growth and communication with the divine or oneself.
In practice
During a meditation retreat, this quote can inspire participants to embrace the power of silence.
... the ecological problem of our times demands a radical reevaluation of how we see the entire world; it demands a different interpretation of matter and the world, a new attitude of humankind toward nature, and a new understanding of how we acquire and make use of our material goods.
Arrogance and fanaticism cause the hardening of positions taken and entrenchment can only lead to a dead end.
No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.
They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.
Steady faith is stronger than destiny. Destiny is the result of causes, mostly accidental, and is therefore loosely woven. Confidence and good hope will overcome it easily.
A wise man among the ignorant is as a beautiful girl in the company of blind men.
Great ideas travel slowly, and for a time noiselessly, as the gods whose feet were shod with wool.
One's self-satisfaction is an untaxed kind of property which it is very unpleasant to find deprecated.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.