Philosophy quotes — page 13

Relying on the heavenly pattern, I strike into the large gaps, guide through the large openings, and follow what is inherently so.

Better to forget one another in the rivers and lakes than to moisten one another with foam when stranded.

Things have roots and branches; affairs have ends and beginnings. To know what comes first and what follows is to be near the Way.

Before joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure are issued, that is called the Mean; when issued and all hit due measure, that is called Harmony.

The noble person is cautious about what is not seen, apprehensive about what is not heard…therefore watchful when alone.

The people are my siblings; things are my companions.

The clearer the knowing, the more earnest the practice; the more earnest the practice, the clearer the knowing.

To extend knowledge lies in investigating things: if one wishes to extend one's knowledge, one must approach things and exhaust their principle.

Mind is principle. Are there affairs or principles outside the mind?

That little bit of innate knowing of yours is your own criterion.

Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is an eternal law.

To avoid all evil, to cultivate the good, and to cleanse one's mind—this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

One is one's own refuge; who else could be the refuge?

Contacts with the senses give cold and heat, pleasure and pain; they come and go and are impermanent—endure them.

One should lift oneself by the Self and not degrade oneself; for the Self alone is friend and enemy of the self.

Wherever you are, make yourself master; wherever you stand is real.

Does a dog have Buddha-nature? … Wu (No).

Every day is a good day.

Ordinary mind is the Way.

Pure experience is the state of experience just as it is, without the slightest addition of deliberative discrimination.

To experience means to know facts just as they are.

The good is the realization of personality.

If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.