Quote collection
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"Once you develop confidence in your own ability, you'll be able to make a real contribution to creating a better world. Self-confidence is very important. Not in the sense of blind pride, but as a realistic awareness of what you can do. As human beings we can transform ourselves by our good qualities and reducing our faults. Our intelligence enables us to judge what is good from what is harmful."
"Those who suffer from an exaggerated sense of their own ability and accomplishment are continually subject to frustration, disappointment, and rage when reality intrudes and the world doesn't validate their idealized view of themselves."
"Even secular humanism has great spiritual resources; it is almost like a religion to me."
"The 20th century was the century of war and blood. The 21st century is the century of dialogue."
"No material object, however beautiful or valuable, can make us feel loved, because our deeper identity and true character lie in the subjective nature of the mind."
"What is the relationship between spirituality and ethical practice? Since love and compassion and similar qualities all, by definition, presume some level of concern for others' well-being, they presume ethical restraint. We cannot be loving and compassionate unless at the same time we curb our own harmful impulses and desires."
"If we continue to approach problems from the perspective of temporary expediency, future generations will face tremendous difficulties."
"Forgiveness doesn't mean forget what happened. If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-measures, you have to take counter-measures."
"Some feel that you lose your independence if you don't let your mind just wander where it wants to, if you try to control it. But that is not the case. If your mind is proceeding in the correct way, one already has the correct opinion. But if your mind is proceeding in an incorrect way, then it's necessary, definitely, to exercise control."
"All sentient beings have the seed of the Buddha within them."
"Do something that scares you every day. You have nothing to lose but fear itself."
"Treat each person as you would an old friend."
"I love smiles. That is a fact. How to develop smiles? There are a variety of smiles. Some smiles are sarcastic. Some smiles are artificial-diplomatic smiles. These smiles do not produce satisfaction, but rather fear or suspicion. But a genuine smile gives us hope, freshness. If we want a genuine smile, then first we must produce the basis for a smile to come."
"Anger is the ultimate troublemaker. I feel you can express a strong disapproval or dislike of an object without losing your temper."
"All human beings have an innate desire to overcome suffering, to find happiness. Training the mind to think differently, through meditation, is one important way to avoid suffering and be happy."
"When, from the depths of your heart, you spontaneously wish all beings to find true, lasting happiness, this is great love."
"Basically, from the viewpoint of real human value we are all the same."
"According to Buddhist psychology most of our troubles stem from attachment to things that we mistakenly see as permanent."
"Sometimes, whether a desire is excessive or negative depends on the circumstances or society in which you live in."
"Sin contains its own judgement and punishment."