Thinkers for Personal Development: The Buddha (563-483 BC)

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.

The Buddha
(563-483BC)

The Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama) is one of the most influential thinkers - especially of course in the East, but to a growing extent in the west also. His attraction to many intelligent westerners is no doubt due to the Buddha's empiricism, lack of reliance on God or Gods, and the vindication of Buddhist practices by science.

Buddha quotations

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.

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.

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.

What we think, we become.

Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

To understand everything is to forgive everything

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.

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.

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

There is nothing so disobedient as an undisciplined mind, and there is nothing so obedient as a disciplined mind

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.

Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts

Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.

This Eightfold Path, that is to say: Right view, right aim, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, right contemplation.

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.

A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals a secret of hidden treasure

Hatred is never ended by hatred but by love

Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.