Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Founder of Buddhism

Ancient influential 126 sayings

Sayings by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

I will not look at another's bowl intent on finding fault: a training to be observed.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Vinaya, a code of discipline for monks and nuns
Philosophical Unverifiable

The body, monks, is not self. If the body were the self, this body would not lend itself to dis-ease.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Anattalakkhana Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya XXII, 59), a teaching on non-self
Philosophical Unverifiable

Where self is, truth is not. Where truth is, self is not.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on the nature of self and truth
Philosophical Unverifiable

We are but guests visiting this world, though most do not know this.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on the transient nature of existence
Philosophical Unverifiable

Perform those actions you will never regret: actions that will ripen into future joy and delight.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on wholesome action
Philosophical Unverifiable

The fragrance of holiness travels even against the wind.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on the pervasive nature of virtue
Philosophical Unverifiable

One who drinks deeply of the Dharma with a clear and open mind, rests well.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on understanding the Dharma
Philosophical Unverifiable

Senseless talk brings suffering, for it is thrown right back to you.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on right speech
Philosophical Unverifiable

All conditioned things have the nature of vanishing.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on impermanence
Philosophical Unverifiable

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on contentment
Philosophical Unverifiable

Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on the nature of virtue
Philosophical Unverifiable

When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on the mind and happiness
Philosophical Unverifiable

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on action and ideas
Philosophical Unverifiable

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.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on free will and action
Philosophical Unverifiable

The body, monks, is not self. If the body were the self, this body would not lend itself to dis-ease. It would be possible (to say) with regard to the body, 'Let my body be thus. Let my body not be thus.' But precisely because the body is not self, the body lends itself to disease. And it is not possible (to say) with regard to the body, 'Let my body be thus. Let my body not be thus.'

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Anattalakkhana Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya XXII, 59), explaining the doctrine of non-self
Philosophical Unverifiable

The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From a teaching on the interconnectedness of virtues
Philosophical Unverifiable

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada, a teaching on the power of the mind
Philosophical Unverifiable

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

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada (Verse 145), a teaching on self-mastery
Philosophical Unverifiable

Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not affected by praise or blame.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Dhammapada (Verse 81), a teaching on equanimity
Philosophical Unverifiable

Whatever a monk keeps pursuing with his thinking and pondering, that becomes the inclination of his awareness.

c. 5th-6th Century BCE — From the Majjhima Nikaya, a teaching on the power of focus
Philosophical Unverifiable