Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Though through all his life a fool associates with a wise man, he yet understands not the Dharma, as the spoon, the flavor of soup.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A fool may be with a wise person but still fail to understand true wisdom.
This quote emphasizes that mere proximity to wisdom does not guarantee understanding. It highlights the importance of personal insight and awareness, suggesting that even when someone is surrounded by wisdom, like a fool with a wise man, they may not grasp the true essence or meaning, similar to how a spoon canβt taste the flavor of soup itself.
Themes
WisdomFoolUnderstandingInsightDharma
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the importance of seeking personal insight rather than just associating with knowledgeable individuals.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes βA 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
Great genius takes shape by contact with another great genius, but less by assimilation than by friction.
Heinrich HeineRead
Now the Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says, "Knowledge inflates: but love edifies." The only correct inerpretation of this saying is that knowledge is valuable when charity informs it. Without charity, knowledge inflates; that is, it exalts man to an arrogance which is nothing but a kind of windy emptiness.
Saint AugustineRead
If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.
Colin PowellRead
Patience doesn't mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that's unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with.
Sharon SalzbergRead
It is through the idealism of youth that man catches sight of truth, and in that idealism he possesses a wealth which he must never exchange for anything else.
Albert SchweitzerRead
Personal mastery teaches us to choose. Choosing is a courageous act: picking the results and actions which you will make into your destiny.
Peter SengeRead