Nagarjuna Quotes (38 Quotes)

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves.

Although a cloth be washed a hundred times, How can it be rendered clean and pure If it be washed in water which is dirty.

A hero is born among a hundred, A wise man is found among a thousand, But an accomplished one might not be found Even among a hundred thousand men.

True knowledge is a virtue of the talented, But harmful to those without discernment. Spring water free of impurity, entering the ocean, becomes undrinkable.

If you are truly persevering in virtue, What is the place of a haughty attitude The cow which has no milk will not be purchased, Even though equipped with a pleasant-sounding bell.

When possessed of wealth or learning, Low people become proud. But even when doubly honored, The wise become more humble.

He who knows one thing, knows all things And he who knows all things, knows one thing. He who is careless in all respects, is in danger he who is not careless in all respects, is free from danger.

Those who speak with discretion Are respected by mankind, As the sun, emerging from the shadows, By its rays creates great warmth.

He who does not try a remedy For the disease of going to hell What will he do when he reaches that place Where there is no cure to be found.

He who pursues people for what they can give, And yet pays no heed to those who have offered much, Is like the man who thinks only of the butter to come, And pays no heed to what has already been churned.

A highly learned man has two sources of happiness Either he abandons all earthly interests Or else he possesses much which could be abandoned.

The teachings of elegant sayings Should be collected when one can. For the supreme gift of words of wisdom, Any price will be paid.

The man against whom you feel anger in your heart Is not to be admonished by mere words. First, subdue him by force, And then use your weapon of words.

When your eyes are fixed in the stare of unconsciousness, And your throat coughs the last gasping breath - As one dragged in the dark to a great precipice - What assistance are a wife and child.

Any man who strives to do his best Whether his work be great or small Is considered to be doing the work of a lion.

He whose anger causes no fear, Who can confer no benefit when pleased, Who can neither destroy nor subjugate, What good is such a man's anger.

So, to praise others for their virtues can but encourage one's own efforts.

All philosophies are mental fabrications. There has never been a single doctrine by which one could enter the true essence of things.

There is pleasure when a sore is scratched, But to be without sores is more pleasurable still. Just so, there are pleasures in worldly desires, But to be without desires is more pleasurable still.

The fire which burned the forest Became the companion of the wind. But just as the wind extinguished the fire, The weak man loses his friends.

One's desire to be attractive and happy And to enjoy the pleasures of wealth, Is like the foolishness of a drunken person, Who, though healthy, must be carried.

If one is plotting evil, He always uses pleasant words. When a hunter sees the game, He sings a sweet song to lure it.

The logs of wood which move down the river together Are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting Should not be the cause of misery.

After happiness comes suffering.After suffering arises happiness.For beings happiness and sufferingRevolve like a wheel.

As long as you watch the way, As long as your steps are steady, As long as your wisdom is unimpaired, So long will you reap profit.

Although you may remain somewhere for a long time, It is certain that you will have to leave Whatever may be the manner of parting, The actual going cannot be avoided.

Although you may spend your life killing, You will not exhaust all your foes. But if you quell your own anger, your real enemy will be slain.

He who knoweth the precepts by heart, But faileth to practice them, Is like unto one who lighteth a lamp And then shutteth his eyes.

He who does not attempt to make peace When small discords arise, Is like the bee's hive which leaks drops of honey - Soon, the whole hive collapses.

The misery which follows pleasure Is the pleasure which follows misery. The pleasure and misery of mankind Revolve like a wheel.

If you desire ease, forsake learning. If you desire learning, forsake ease. How can a man at ease acquire knowledge, And how can an earnest student enjoy ease.

Moral conduct, self-restraint, And control of the mind- What else does one need Who perseveres in these.

Even if the son of his enemy speaks sweetly, The wise man remains on guard. A poisonous leaf retains its potency, And can cause injury at any time.

By association with the exalted, Who would not become uplifted The thread which strings the flowers Becomes a garland for the head.

If you desire ease, forsake learning.

This body, full of faults, Has yet one great quality Whatever it encounters in this temporal life Depends upon one's actions.

There is no ornament like virtue, There is no misery like worry, There is no protection like patience, There is no friend equal to generosity.

When young, rejoice in the tranquility of the old. However great your glory, be forbearing in your manner. Boast not of what you know, even when learned. However high you may rise, be not proud.