Daily Wisdom Archive

Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours.

— Kabir, Dohas, India, 15th century (1440-1518)

Modern Read:The sacred is not distant; it sits beside you, breathing.

Sincerity is the way of heaven.

— Mencius, Mencius, 4A:12, China, Warring States (372-289 BCE)

Modern Read:Be true to the self, and the way will open.

Do not seek illumination unless you seek it as a man whose hair is on fire seeks a pond.

— Ramakrishna, Gospel of Ramakrishna, India, Modern (1836-1886)

Modern Read:Seek truth with the urgency of someone whose life depends on it—because it does.

To see what is right and not do it is lack of courage.

— Confucius, Analects, 2.24, China, Zhou Dynasty (551-479 BCE)

Modern Read:Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it.

Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours.

— Kabir, Dohas, India, 15th century (1440-1518)

Modern Read:The sacred is not distant; it sits beside you, breathing.

The soul is neither born, nor does it die.

— Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Gita, 2.20, India, 5th-2nd century BCE

Modern Read:Refine the body, but seek the soul.

Do not seek illumination unless you seek it as a man whose hair is on fire seeks a pond.

— Ramakrishna, Gospel of Ramakrishna, India, Modern (1836-1886)

Modern Read:Seek truth with the urgency of someone whose life depends on it—because it does.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.

— Buddha, Dhammapada, Verse 165, India, 6th-5th century BCE

Modern Read:Walk the path. Live the life. It is the only life you have, and it is your own to live.

In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.

— Swami Vivekananda, Lectures, India, Modern (1863-1902)

Modern Read:When logic and intuition collide, let the heart lead.

The moon is not pleasing unless partly obscured by a cloud.

— Murata Jukō, Letter of the Heart, Japan, 15th century

Modern Read:it’s more appealing, and human, when things are imperfect.

He who has no attachments can really love others, for his love is pure and divine.

— Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Gita, India, 5th-2nd century BCE

Modern Read:Echoing Buddha's "Radiate boundless love towards the entire world," love without attachment is the purest love.

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

— Hakuin Ekaku, Zen Koan, Japan, Edo Period (1686-1769)

Modern Read:Simply trying to answer this question anchors us in the present moment.

Irrigators channel waters; fletchers straighten arrows; carpenters bend wood; the wise master themselves.

— Buddha, Dhammapada, Verse 80, India, 6th-5th century BCE

Modern Read:As craftsmen shape their materials, the wise shape themselves.

Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.

— Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 56, China, Zhou Dynasty (6th century BCE)

Modern Read:The wise are restrained, knowing they cannot possibly articulate every nuance.

Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

— Miyamoto Musashi, Dokkodo, Japan, Edo Period (1584-1645)

Modern Read:Shrink the ego; expand the awareness.

Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.

— Paramahansa Yogananda, Teachings, India, Modern (1893-1952)

Modern Read:Reducing unnecessary possessions, desires, and mental clutter leads to profound happiness.