Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
He who, seeking his own happiness, punishes or kills beings who also long for happiness, will not find happiness after his death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True happiness cannot be attained by causing suffering to others.
This quote emphasizes the idea that one's pursuit of happiness should not come at the expense of others' well-being. Gautama Buddha suggests that causing harm to other beings in the quest for personal joy ultimately leads to unhappiness in the long run, as genuine happiness is rooted in compassion and mutual respect.
Themes
HappinessCompassionWell-BeingPeaceSuffering
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about kindness and empathy, you might say, 'As Buddha wisely noted, seeking happiness at the cost of others only leads to our own suffering.'
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
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If tomorrow were never to come, it would not be worth living today.
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I've wondered why it took us so long to catch on. We saw it, and yet we didn't see it. Or rather we were trained not to see it. Conned perhaps into thinking that the real action was metropolitan and all this was just boring hinterland. It was a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away. I'm looking for the truth." And so it goes away. Puzzling.
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