Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Words can harm others deeply without physical violence.
This quote by Gautama Buddha emphasizes the power of speech and the impact words can have on individuals. Like a sharp knife, harsh words can inflict emotional pain and damage without causing any visible harm, highlighting the importance of using language thoughtfully and kindly.
Themes
WordsCommunicationHarmPowerKindness
In practice
Example use cases
During a workshop on effective communication, one could mention this quote to illustrate the importance of speaking kindly.
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
Care about your children. Just bless them instead of worrying, as every child is the little Buddha who helps his parents to grow up.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Similar quotes
The infinite wonders of the universe are revealed to us in exact measure as we are capable of receiving them. The keenness of our vision depends not on how much we can see, but on how much we feel.
Helen KellerRead
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance.
E. E. CummingsRead
The greatest thing my dad taught me came from when I called him from a phone booth and said, 'Hungry. No bus token. Please. Out of options.' He said, 'Pfft, get a job.
Robert Downey, Jr.Read
Don't join the book burners. Do not think you are going to conceal thoughts by concealing evidence that they ever existed.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
In a 'wheat and tares' world, how unusually blessed faithful members are to have the precious and constant gift of the Holy Ghost with reminders of what is right and of the covenants we have made. 'For behold, ... the Holy Ghost ... will show unto you all things what ye should do.' (2 Ne. 32:5.) Whatever the decibels of decadence, these need not overwhelm the still, small voice! Some of the best sermons we will ever hear will be thus prompted from the pulpit of memoryβto an audience of one!
Neal A. MaxwellRead
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead