Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.
Interpretation
Virtue and wisdom are revealed through good deeds and a peaceful mind, guiding us in life.
This quote highlights the significance of good deeds and a peaceful mind in cultivating virtue and wisdom. Buddha emphasizes that just as valuable treasures are found in the earth, inner treasures of virtue and wisdom emerge from our actions and state of mind. To navigate the complexities of life, one must rely on the light that wisdom provides and the moral compass of virtue.
In practice
During a motivational speech about personal growth.
Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
We may give advice, but not the sense to use it.
The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.
By becoming a conscious choice-maker, you begin to generate actions that are evolutionary for you.
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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 memory—to an audience of one!
But the upside of painful knowledge is so much greater than the downside of blissful ignorance.
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