"It is important to have determination and optimism and patience. If you lack patience, even when you face some small obstacle, you lose courage. There is a Tibetan saying, "Even if you have failed at something nine times, you have still given it effort nine times." I think that's important. Use your brain to analyze the situation. Do not rush through it, but think. Once you decide what to do about that obstacle, then there's a possibility that you will achieve your goal."

6 likes

Source: Emory University commencement speech, www.huffingtonpost.com. 1998.

About the author

Dalai Lama

Spiritual Leader

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, known for his teachings on compassion, peace, and mindfulness.

All quotes by Dalai Lama →

Same author

More quotes by Dalai Lama

See all →
Dalai Lama Spiritual Leader

"Man surprised me most about humanity.Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

Read quote
Dalai Lama Spiritual Leader

"There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live."

Read quote
Dalai Lama Spiritual Leader

"Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength."

Read quote