Famous Buddha Quotations

First 1 Last 
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
by Buddha
"The sacrifice which causes sorrow to the doer of the sacrifice is no sacrifice. Real sacrifice lightens the mind of the doer and gives him a sense of peace and joy. The Buddha gave up the pleasures of life because they had become painful to him."
by Mahatma Gandhi
"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."
by Buddha
"To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance."
by Buddha
"Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others."
by Buddha
"Brute force crushes many plants. Yet the plants rise again. The Pyramids will not last a moment compared with the daisy. And before Buddha or Jesus spoke the nightingale sang, and long after the words of Jesus and Buddha are gone into oblivion the nightingale still will sing. Because it is neither preaching nor commanding nor urging. It is just singing. And in the beginning was not a Word, but a chirrup."
by Anonymous
"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule."
by 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."
by Buddha
"On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him."
by Buddha
"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways."
by Buddha
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."
by Buddha
"Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes."
by Buddha
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
by Buddha
"Do not speak harshly to any one; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee."
by Buddha, The Dharmapada
"A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden."
by Buddha
"After the bare requisites of living and reproducing, man wants most to leave some record of himself, a proof, perhaps, that he has really existed. He leaves his proof on wood, on stone, or on the lives of other people. This deep desire exists in everyone, from the boy who scribbles on a wall to the Buddha who etches his image in the race mind. Life is so unreal. I think that we seriously doubt that we exist and go about trying to prove that we do."
by John Steinbeck
"All created things are impermanent. Strive on with diligence."
by Buddha
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him."
by Buddha
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought."
by Buddha
"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind."
by Buddha
"Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten."
by Buddha
"Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"As the flectcher whittles and makes straight his arrows, so the master directs his straying thoughts."
by Buddha
"Believe nothing, O monks, merely because you have been told it or because it is traditional, or because you yourselves have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beingsthat doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide."
by Buddha
"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide."
by Buddha
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace."
by Buddha
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
by The Buddha
"Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely."
by Buddha
"Everything is changeable, everything appears and disappears there is no blissful peace until one passes beyond the agony of life and death."
by Buddha
"Everything changes, nothing remains without change."
by Buddha
"Hatred does not cease in this world by hating, but by not hating; this is an eternal truth."
by Buddha
"He is able who thinks he is able."
by Buddha
"He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"He who loves 50 people has 50 woes he who loves no one has no woes."
by Buddha
"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."
by 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."
by 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"
by Siddhartha 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."
by Buddha
"However many holy words you read, However many you speak, What good will they do you, If you do not act upon them?"
by Buddha (563 - 483 B.C.)
"However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? by"
by Siddhartha 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"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"I think that their flight from and hatred of technology is self-defeating. The Buddha rests quite as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer of the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain or in the petals of a flower. To think otherwise is to demean the Buddha--which is to demean oneself."
by Robert M. Pursig
"If a man's mind becomes pure, his surroundings will also become pure."
by Buddha
"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way."
by Buddha
"In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways"
by Siddhartha 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"
by Siddhartha 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."
by Buddha
"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life."
by Buddha
"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"Let a man avoid evil deeds as a man who loves life avoids poison."
by Buddha
"Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed."
by Buddha
"Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds."
by Buddha
"Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds"
by Siddhartha Buddha
"Of all the worldly passions, lust is the most intense. All other worldly passions seem to follow in its train."
by Buddha
"On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions it is the best refreshment on the journey and it is the greatest property."
by Buddha
"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without."
by Buddha
"She bellies up to the gourmet crackerbarrel and delivers laid-back wisdom with the serenity of a down-home Buddha who has discovered that stool softeners really work."
by Florence King (about Molly Ivins)
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
by Buddha
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."
by Buddha
"The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood."
by Buddha
"The thought manifests as the word; The word manifests as the deed; The deed develops into habit; And habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care, And let it spring from love Born out of concern for all beings."
by The 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."
by Buddha
"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."
by Buddha
"Therefore, be ye lamps unto yourselves, be a refuge to yourselves. Hold fast to Truth as a lamp; hold fast to the truth as a refuge. Look not for a refuge in anyone beside yourselves. And those, who shall be a lamp unto themselves, shall betake themselves to no external refuge, but holding fast to the Truth as their lamp, and holding fast to the Truth as their refuge, they shall reach the topmost height."
by Buddha
"Times of luxury do not last long, but pass away very quickly nothing in this world can be long enjoyed."
by 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."
by 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"
by Siddhartha 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."
by Buddha
"To keep the body in good health is a duty. . . otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
by Buddha
"To keep the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
by 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."
by Buddha
"We are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think."
by Buddha
"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world."
by Buddha
"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind"
by Siddhartha 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."
by Buddha
"You should respect each other and refrain from disputes you should not, like water and oil, repel each other, but should, like milk and water, mingle together."
by Buddha
"Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care."
by Buddha
"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
by Buddha
"All beings tremble before violence. All fear death, all love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?"
by Buddha
"Feeling unbearable compassion for all animals in the world who are killed for food, I went back before the Jowo Rinpoche [a great statue of the Buddha in Lhasa], prostrated myself, and made this vow: 'From today on, I give up the negative act that is eating the flesh of beings."
by Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol
"When a man has pity on all living creatures then only is he noble."
by Buddha
"To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana."
by Buddha
"If a man who enjoys a lesser happiness beholds a greater one, let him leave aside the lesser to gain the greater."
by Buddha
"There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it."
by Buddha
"A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another."
by Buddha
"Never in this world can hatred be stilled by hatred; it will be stilled only by non-hatred -- this is the law of eternal."
by Buddha
"Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law."
by Buddha
"One of the tragic ironies of history is that such original and creative geniuses as Buddha and Jesus have been extolled as perfect patterns for all to emulate. In the very struggle to be like someone else rather than to be one's own true self, or to do one's own best in one's own environment, a child is in danger of losing the pearl that is really beyond price - the integrity of his (or her) own soul."
by Sophia Lyon Fahs
"He who leads Must then be strong and hopeful as the dawn That rises unafraid and full of joy Above the blackness of the darkest night. He must be kind to every living thing; Kind as the Krishna, Buddha and the Christ, And full of love for all created life. Oh, not in war shall his great prowess lie, Nor shall he find his pleasure in the chase. Too great for slaughter, friend of man and beast, Touching the borders of the Unseen Realms And bringing down to earth their mystic fires To light our troubled pathways, wise and kind And human to the core, so shall he be, The coming leader of the coming time."
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
"This life of separateness may be compared to a dream, a phantasm, a bubble, a shadow, a drop of dew, a flash of lightning."
by Buddha
"Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom."
by Buddha
"There is nothing so disobedient as an undisciplined mind, and there is nothing so obedient as a disciplined mind."
by Buddha
"Nun: You don't believe in God because of Alice in Wonderland? Loki: No, 'Through the Looking Glass.' That poem, 'The Walrus and the Carpenter,' that's an indictment of organized religion. The walrus, with his girth and his good nature, he obviously represents either Buddha, or...or with his tusk, the Hindu elephant god, Lord Ganesha. That takes care of your Eastern religions. Now the carpenter, which is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ, who was raised a carpenter's son, he represents the Western religions. Now in the poem, what do they do...what do they do? They...they dupe all these oysters into following them and then proceed to shuck and devour the helpless creatures en masse. I don't know what that says to you, but to me it says that following these faiths based on mythological figures ensure the destruction of one's inner being. Organized religion destroys who we are by inhibiting our actions...by inhibiting our decisions, out of...out of fear of some...some intangible parent figure who...who shakes a finger at us from thousands of years ago and says...and says, 'Do it-do it and I'll fuckin' spank you!'"
by Dogma
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
by Buddha


Hire a Writer