Quotes from Ancient Times
Leo Tolstoy (1828 ~ 1910 )
All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
If a man's mind becomes pure, his surroundings will also become pure.
All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, We make our world.
He is able who thinks he is able.
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.
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.
As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.
If a man possesses a repentant spirit his sins will disappear, but if he has an unrepentant spirit his sins will continue and condemn him for their sake forever.
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
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.
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.
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.
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
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.
He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.
Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
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.
Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.
There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...not going all the way, and not starting.
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.
Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher.
A wise man, recognizing that the world is but an illusion, does not act as if it is real, so he escapes the suffering.
Buddha Quotes
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
Inward calm cannot be maintained unless physical strength is constantly and intelligently replenished.
A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.
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.
Work out you own salvation. Do not depend on others.
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.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
Insightful Quotes cards
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Everything changes, nothing remains without change.
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
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.
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.