Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Winning gives birth to hostility Losing, one lies down in pain. The calmed lie down with ease, having set winning and losing aside.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the idea that attachment to winning and losing can lead to suffering and conflict, while letting go brings peace.
In this quote, Gautama Buddha reflects on the nature of competition and its emotional impact on individuals. Winning often leads to hostility as it creates a cycle of comparison and conflict, while losing brings its own kind of pain. However, those who can release their attachment to the dualities of winning and losing find a serene acceptance, allowing them to experience inner peace and calmness beyond the outcomes of contests.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about the importance of embracing both success and failure.
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.
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.
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'Tis not need we know our every thought Or see the work shop where each mask is wrought Wherefrom we view the world of box and pit, Careless of wear, just so the mask shall fit And serve our jape's turn for a night or two.
Te Occidere Possunt Sed Te Edere Non Possunt Nefas Est" ("They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier").