Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Never have anything to do with likes and dislikes. The absence of what one likes is painful, as is the presence of what one dislikes. Therefore don't take a liking to anything. To lose what one likes is hard, but there are no bonds for those who have no likes and dislikes. From preference arises sorrow, from preference arises fear, but he who is freed from preference has no sorrow and certainly no fear.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote teaches that attachment to preferences can lead to suffering and that freedom from likes and dislikes brings peace.
Gautama Buddha's quote emphasizes the idea that attachment and preference are sources of suffering. When we develop specific likes and dislikes, we risk experiencing pain when we encounter what we don't like or when we lose what we love. By encouraging a mindset free from these attachments, Buddha suggests that one can attain a state of tranquility, devoid of the sorrows and fears that often accompany personal preferences.
Themes
AttachmentSufferingFreedomPreferencesPeace
In practice
Example use cases
In a mindfulness seminar discussing the importance of letting go of attachments.
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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.
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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
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