Swami Vivekananda

Spiritual Leader, Philosopher

Swami Vivekananda was a key figure in introducing Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world, known for his impactful speeches and writings.

Born
January 12, 1863
Died
January 19, 1902
Quotes
1.7K
Rank
#266

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Swami Vivekananda quotes (page 8 of 86)

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"If there is inequality in nature, still there must be equal chance for all - or if greater for some and for some less - the weaker should be given more chance than the strong. In other words, a Brahmin is not so much in need of education as a Chandala. If the son of a Brahmin needs one teacher, that of a Chandala needs ten. For greater help must be given to him whom nature has not endowed with an acute intellect from birth. It is a madman who carries coals to Newcastle. The poor, the downtrodden, the ignorant, let these be your God."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"The one eternal religion is applied to the opinions of various minds and various races. There never was my religion or yours, my national religion or your national religion; there never existed many religions, there is only the one. One infinite religion existed all through eternity and will ever exist, and this religion is expressing itself in various countries in various ways."

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"Education is not filling the mind with a lot of facts. Perfecting the instrument and getting complete mastery of my own mind [is the ideal of education]."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"We have to keep the body in good health; we have to take care of what we eat and drink, and what we do."

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"There is no help for you outside of yourself; you are the creator of the universe. Like the silkworm you have built a cocoon around yourself.... Burst your own cocoon and come out as the beautiful butterfly, as the free soul. Then alone you will see Truth."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"You must keep a strict eye on your health; let everything else be subordinated to that."

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"Take any path you like; follow any prophet you like; but have only that method which suits your own nature, so that you will be sure to progress."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"If you intend to study the mind, you must have systematic training; you must practice to bring the mind under your control."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"We, we, and none else, are responsible for what we suffer. We are the effects, and we are the causes."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"It's the coward who says, 'This is fate'...It's the strong who stands up & says 'I will make my fate'"

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life."

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"Be not afraid of anything. You will do marvellous work. It is fear that is the great cause of misery in the world. It is fear that is the greatest of all superstitions. It is fear that is the cause of all our woes, and it is fearlessness that brings heaven even in a moment. Therefore, "arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"Do one thing at a Time, and while doing it put your whole Soul into it to the exclusion of all else."

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Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Leader, Philosopher
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"All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind."

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"Last of all will come self-surrender. Then we shall be able to give ourselves up to the Mother. If misery comes, welcome; if happiness comes, welcome. Then, when we come up to this love, all crooked things shall be straight. There will be the same sight for the Brahmin, the Pariah, and the dog. Until we love the universe with samesightedness, with impartial, undying love, we are missing again and again. But then all will have vanished, and we shall see in all the same infinite eternal Mother."

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"Everything that we perceive around us is struggling towards freedom, from the atom to the man, from the insentient, lifeless particle of matter to the highest existence on earth, the human soul. The whole universe is in fact the result of this struggle for freedom."

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"A man could be in a throne and have no attachment at all; another one could be in rags and have many attachments."

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"I fervently wish no misery ever came near anyone; yet it is that alone that gives us an insight into the depths of our lives, does it not? In our moments of anguish, gates barred forever seem to open and let in many a flood of light."

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"This is the first lesson to learn: be determined not to curse anything outside, not to lay the blame upon anyone outside, but stand up, lay the blame on yourself. You will find that is always true. Get hold of yourself."

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