Look at the World From Inside Out
“We think the soul is for nature, we identify ourselves with nature, that spirit is for flesh and man “lives to eat” rather than “eats to live.” We are continually making this mistake; we are regarding nature as ourselves and becoming attached to it. This attachment creates a deep impression on the soul, making us […]
The Real Test of Religion
“Selfishness is the chief sin, thinking of ourselves first. He who thinks, “I will eat first, I will have more money, and I will possess everything,” he who thinks “I will get to heaven before others, I will get Mukti before others,” is the selfish man. The unselfish man says, “I will be last, I do not care to go to heaven, I will even go to hell if it helps my brothers.” This unselfishness is the test of religion.” — Swami Vivekananda
How Do You Want People to Remember You?
“Don’t be miserable! Do not repent! What is done is done. If you burn yourself [take the responsibility]… We make mistakes, what of that?” — Swami Vivekananda
Don’t Resist The Moment
“Was Krishna cunning? No. . . . He tried his best to prevent the war. . . But, when once in the thing, you should not recede – that is the man of duty. Do not run away, it is cowardice. . . You should not budge an inch – of course not for a wrong thing; this war was a righteous war.” — Swami Vivekananda
Nature Has to Relent
“The smaller and more selfish I make myself, the more my fear. If a man thinks he is a little nothing, fear will surely come upon him. And the less you think of yourself an insignificant person, the less fear there will be for you.” — Swami Vivekananda
The Difference Between Contact And Connection
As soon as we say “I”, we are humbugged all the time; and we call it “knowable,” but it’s only going round and round like a bullock tied to a tree. . . Conquer yourself and the whole universe is yours.” — Swami Vivekananda
The Words You Use Is the World You See
“What is the use of talking of one’s mistakes to the world? They cannot thereby be undone. For what one has done one must suffer; one must try and do better. The world sympathizes only with the strong and the powerful.” — Swami Vivekananda Making mistakes is inevitable, and so is facing their consequences. But […]
Stop Being Afraid of Being Judged
“No human institution is beyond abuse. Would you cook nothing because there are beggars? Would you possess nothing because there are thieves?” — Swami Vivekananda When you were learning to walk, did you get discouraged by someone laughing when you fell? If you did, you wouldn’t walk, run, go out and play, or explore the […]
Do Not Add to Misery
“Never is misery undeserved… there has never been any evil for which I did not pave the way with my own hands… Every blow you have received came to you because you prepared yourselves for it. You did half and the external world did the other half.” — Swami Vivekananda When we’re stuck in a […]
Will You Die As a Statistic?
“Saying ‘I can’ won’t do. Show me through action what you can do. . . Get up, and put your shoulders to the wheel–how long is this life for? As you have come into this world, leave some mark behind. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the trees and stones?” — Swami Vivekananda […]