The Dhammapada

Upon awakening, let the words Thank You flow from your lips, for this will remind you to begin your day with gratitude and compassion.

One may make their house a palace of sham, or they can make it a home, a refuge.

That man is idle who can do something better.

Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.

We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.

The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom.

Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.

Love is indeed Heaven upon Earth; since Heaven above would not be Heaven without it: For where there is not Love; there is Fear: But perfect Love casts out Fear. And yet we naturally fear most to offend what we most Love. What we Love, we’ll Hear; what we Love, we’ll Trust; and what we Love, we’ll serve, ay, and suffer for too. If you love me (says our Blessed Redeemer) keep my Commandments. Why? Why then he’ll Love us; then we shall be his Friends; then he’ll send us the Comforter; then whatsoever we ask, we shall receive; and then where he is we shall be also, and that for ever. Behold the Fruits of Love; the Power, Vertue, Benefit and Beauty of Love! Love is above all; and when it prevails in us all, we shall all be Lovely, and in Love with God and one with another.

I like not only to be loved, but also to be told that I am loved. I am not sure that you are of the same kind. But the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave. This is the world of light and speech, and I shall take leave to tell you that you are very dear.

Adversity has ever been considered the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

Nothing is to be preferred before justice.

Its proper use is to amuse the idle, and relax the studious, and dilute the full meals of those who cannot use exercise, and will not use abstinence.

I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.

Talent for talent’s sake is a bauble and a show. Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor.