If you desire to do something pleasing to me, then desist from hunting forever! The poor poor beasts of the forest, being … dull of intellect, are worthy of pity for this very reason.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
I cannot have pleasure while another grieves and I have power to help him.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
How indifferent he was to his own welfare! How intolerant of the suffering of others.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Root out the love of self.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Almsgiving, it is said, constitutes the value of riches.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
‘Tis out of mercy, not with the desire of gain, that the virtuous take care of a person in distress, nor do they mind whether the other understands this or not.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
With every desire to do good, the ignorant and foolish only succeed in doing harm…. ‘Tis knowledge crowns endeavor with success.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
To a righteous man death must bring gladness. For no fear of mishap exists for him who is devoted to a holy life.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
The fool thinks himself alone and commits sin. But I know of no lonely place at all…. Of a bad action my “Self” is a witness far more sharp-sighted than any other person.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
He knew not the art of hypocrisy.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
This king felt the weal and the woe of his subjects as his own.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Always give in charity to people of good conduct.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
It is not as a means of procuring my own happiness that I give in charity, but I love charity that I may do good to the world.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
If they may cause by it the happiness of others, even pain is highly esteemed by the righteous, as if it were gain.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
The virtuous retain in their mind the good done to them, whereas the evil they experience drops from their mind, like water from a lotus-petal.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Look with friendship … on the evil and on the good.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Always intent on bringing about the good and the happiness of others.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Unselfishness, true, and self-control.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
He identified himself with all beings.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
How should I be capable of leaving thee in thy calamity?.. Whatever fate may be thine I am pleased with it.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
You will generously follow the impulse of pity, I hope.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
There is no such thing as secrecy in wrongdoing.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Now, therefore, it behooves me to examine into my faults; and if I find anything wrong in me, to put it away, and practice virtue only.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
The virtuous (when injured) grieve not so much for their own pain as for the loss of happiness incurred by their injurers.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Worship consists in fulfilling the design (of the person honored), not in offerings of perfumes, garlands, and the like.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Like food besmeared with poison, I abhor such happiness as is tainted with unrighteousness.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Who that clings to Righteousness should be in fear of death?
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
You do not well enticing me to a sinful act. And what you say, that “nobody else will know of it” – will it be less sinful for this reason?
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
The wise firmly believe that in Mercy the whole of Righteousness is contained. What virtue … does there exist which is not the consequence of Mercy?
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
No fear has any one of me; neither have I fear of any one: in my good-will to all I trust.
—The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- The Panchatantra Indian Collection of Fables
- The Hitopadesha Indian Collection of Fables
- Subhashita Manjari Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs
- The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
- Bhartrihari Hindu Philosopher, Grammarian
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