Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Thought-habits can harden into character. So watch your thoughts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our thoughts shape our character, so we should be mindful of them.
This quote by Gautama Buddha emphasizes the profound impact of our thoughts on our character and behavior. It suggests that consistent thinking patterns can solidify into traits that define who we are, highlighting the importance of being conscious about our thoughts to cultivate a positive character and influence our actions and relationships.
Themes
ThoughtsCharacterMindfulnessHabitsBuddha
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about personal growth, one could use this quote to encourage the audience to be mindful of their thinking.
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.
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
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What’s more, you’re loads better than you think you are.” “So why is it I get to thinking that way?” I puzzled. “That’s because you’re only half-living.” she said briskly. “The other half is still untapped somewhere.
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To inquisitive minds like yours and mine the reflection that the quantity of human knowledge bears no proportion to the quantity of human ignorance must be in one view rather pleasing, viz., that though we are to live forever we may be continually amused and delighted with learning something new.
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It's in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.
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Genius is nothing more nor less than childhood recaptured at will.
Charles BaudelaireRead