Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our thoughts profoundly influence our reality and joy comes from a pure mind.
This quote by Gautama Buddha emphasizes the powerful role that our thoughts play in shaping our lives and experiences. It suggests that a person's mindset determines their reality; if one cultivates pure, positive thoughts, joy will naturally follow as a constant companion. The metaphor of joy being like a shadow illustrates how closely joy is tied to a pure and positive mental state, highlighting the importance of mindfulness and mental clarity.
Themes
ThoughtsMindJoyPurityBuddha
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about the power of positive thinking.
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
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
Edward R. MurrowRead
I have long since decided if you wait for the perfect time to write, you'll never write. There is no time that isn't flawed somehow.
Margaret AtwoodRead
If these town gods can't detect the thieves who steal from their own temples, it's hardly likely they'll tell me who stole my spade.
AesopRead
Compared with what we ought to be, we are only half awake. Our fires are damped, our drafts are checked. We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources.
William JamesRead
They that are intoxicated by self-conceit have interposed themselves between it and the Divine and infallible Physician. Witness how they have entangled all men, themselves included, in the mesh of their devices. They can neither discover the cause of the disease, nor have they any knowledge of the remedy.
Baha'U'LlahRead
Vision without execution is delusion.
Thomas A. EdisonRead