Buddhist Quotes
Buddhism relates some of the most beautiful and succinct proverbs.
Quotes here are attributed to Buddha, The Dalai Lama, Lao Tzu and others. Now we weren't around during that time, however these quotes have been attributed to their speakers based on study and research. Keep in mind that most were translated, by humans, into English. Therefore, there will be slight deviations in the wording. The words ring true nonetheless, and hopefully you will find them inspiring.
A jug fills drop by drop
- Buddha
All that we are is the result of what we have thought
- Buddha
An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea
- Buddha
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace
- Buddha
Every human being is the author of his own health or disease
- Buddha
He is able who thinks he is able
- Buddha
What you think you become
- Buddha
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship
- Buddha
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned
- Buddha
I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done
- Buddha
It is better to travel well than to arrive
- Buddha
The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground
- Buddha
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment
- Buddha
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows
- Buddha
The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart
- Buddha
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting
- Buddha
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth
- Buddha
You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger
- Buddha
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection
- Buddha
Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it
- Buddha
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
- Buddha
The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood.
- Buddha
To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.
- Buddha
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
- Buddha
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
- Buddha
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
- Buddha
However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
- Buddha
The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
- Buddha
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
- Buddha
In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.
- Buddha
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
- Buddha
To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
- Buddha
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.
- Buddha
The mind is everything. What you think you become.
- Buddha
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.
- Buddha
In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.
- Buddha
All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?
- Buddha
I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.
- Buddha
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
- Buddha
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.
- Buddha
Without health life is not life; it is only a state of langour and suffering - an image of death.
- Buddha
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
- Buddha
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.
- Buddha
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.
- Buddha
He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.
- Buddha
Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
- Buddha
Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.
- Buddha
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Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
- Buddha
To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.
- Buddha
Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.
- Buddha
When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.
- Buddha
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
- Buddha
There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.
- Buddha
What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?
- Buddha
The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.
- Buddha
The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.
- Buddha
Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.
- Buddha
Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and the idea of Unity are already two.
- Buddha
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible
- Dalai Lama
I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe
- Dalai Lama
If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them
- Dalai Lama
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion
- Dalai Lama
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.
- Dalai Lama
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive
- Dalai Lama
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness
- Dalai Lama
The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness
- Dalai Lama
We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves
- Dalai Lama
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions
- Dalai Lama
The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis
- Dalai Lama
We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves
- Dalai Lama
Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace
- Dalai Lama
With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world
- Dalai Lama
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
- Dalai Lama
Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.
- Dalai Lama
It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.
- Dalai Lama
All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness; the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.
- Dalai Lama
The purpose of our lives is to be happy.
- Dalai Lama
Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.
- Dalai Lama
It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them.
- Dalai Lama
Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.
- Dalai Lama
If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.
- Dalai Lama
When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, 'Oh yes - I already have everything that I really need.'
- Dalai Lama
Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion.
- Dalai Lama
We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.
- Dalai Lama
With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world.
- Dalai Lama
A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.
- Dalai Lama
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.
- Dalai Lama
The best way to resolve any problem in the human world is for all sides to sit down and talk.
- Dalai Lama
Even when a person has all of life's comforts - good food, good shelter, a companion - he or she can still become unhappy when encountering a tragic situation.
- Dalai Lama
I think governments can't do much.
- Dalai Lama
World belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince or religious leader. World belongs to humanity.
- Dalai Lama
Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not right in the brain.
- Dalai Lama
In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.
- Dalai Lama
Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.
- Dalai Lama
Out of 6 billion humans, the troublemakers are just a handful.
- Dalai Lama
We all have to live together, so we might as well live together happily.
- Dalai Lama
I have always had this view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development, but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted.
- Dalai Lama
The important thing is that men should have a purpose in life. It should be something useful, something good.
- Dalai Lama
I am just one human being.
- Dalai Lama
Disagreement is something normal.
- Dalai Lama
Home is where you feel at home and are treated well.
- Dalai Lama
Even when we have physical hardships, we can be very happy.
- Dalai Lama
Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important. Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.
- Dalai Lama
There are techniques of Buddhism, such as meditation, that anyone can adopt.
- Dalai Lama
My faith helps me overcome such negative emotions and find my equilibrium.
- Dalai Lama
Appearance is something absolute, but reality is not that way - everything is interdependent, not absolute.
- Dalai Lama
Zen Proverbs
Move and the way will open
- Zen Proverb
From the withered tree, a flower blooms
- Zen Proverb
Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind
- Zen Proverb
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water
- Zen Proverb
The infinite is in the finite of every instant
- Zen Proverb
When walking, walk. When eating, eat
- Zen Proverb
Only a crystal clear question yields a transparent answer
– Zen Proverb
Life is the only thing worth living for
– Zen Proverb
The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step
- Lao Tzu
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving
- Lao Tzu
An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox
- Lao Tzu
Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy
- Lao Tzu
Be the chief but never the lord
- Lao Tzu
Because of a great love, one is courageous
- Lao Tzu
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage
- Lao Tzu
From caring comes courage
- Lao Tzu
Great acts are made up of small deeds
- Lao Tzu
He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty
- Lao Tzu
He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted
- Lao Tzu
He who is contented is rich
- Lao Tzu
He who knows himself is enlightened
- Lao Tzu
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened
- Lao Tzu
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough
- Lao Tzu
He who talks more is sooner exhausted
- Lao Tzu
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment
- Lao Tzu
Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it
- Lao Tzu
Silence is a source of great strength
- Lao Tzu
To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage
- Lao Tzu
The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.
- Robert M. Pirsig
The quieter you become, the more you can hear.
– Baba Ram Dass
You must neither strive for truth nor seek to lose your illusions.
– The Shodoka
Zen is not some kind of excitement, but merely concentration on our usual everyday routine.
– Shunryu Suzuki
The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.
– Shunryu Suzuki
Don’t seek reality, just put an end to opinions
– Sheng-ts' an
When you get there, there isn’t any there there
– Gertrude Stein
Water which is too pure has no fish
– Ts'ai Ken T'an
Nothing is exactly as it seems, nor is it otherwise
– Alan Watts
The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark
– Wu-men
All of the significant battles are waged within the self
– Sheldon Kopp
If you have a problem that can be fixed, then there is no use in worrying. If you have a problem that cannot be fixed, then there is no use in worrying.
– Buddhist proverb
If the problem has a solution, worrying is pointless, in the end the problem will be solved. If the problem has no solution, there is no reason to worry, because it can’t be solved.
– Zen saying