Swami Vivekananda Quotes

“If you really want to judge the character of a man, look not at his great performances. Watch a man do his most common actions.”

“The coward is an object to be pitied.”

“Calm and silent and steady work, and no newspaper humbug, no name-making, you must always remember.”

“One link in a chain explains the infinite chain.”

“Compared to the coward that never made the attempt, he is a hero.”

“Each man must begin where he stands, must learn how to control the things that are nearest to him.”

“How often does a man ruin his disciples by remaining always with them! When men are once trained, it is essential that their leader leave them, for without his absence they cannot develop themselves. Plants always remain small under a big tree.”

“...never try to follow another's path for that is his way, not yours. When that path is found, you have nothing to do but fold your arms and the tide will carry you to freedom.”

“All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind.”

“I want each one of my children to be a hundred times greater than I could ever be. Everyone of you must be a giant- must, that is my word. Obedience, readiness, and love for the cause- if you have these three, nothing can hold you back.”

“No great work can be achieved by humbug. It is through love, a passion for truth, and tremendous energy, that all undertakings are accomplished.”

“Perfection is one thing and enjoyment another; these two having different ends, engage men differently.”

“The power of concentration is the only key to the treasure-house of knowledge.”

“The mind generally takes up various objects, runs into all sorts of things. That is the lower state. There is a higher state of the mind, when it takes up one object and excludes all others.”

“Neither idealists nor materialists are right; we must take both idea and expression.”

“Egotism, pride, etc. must be given up.”

“The best thermometer to the progress of a nation is its treatment of its women.”

“The whole life is a succession of dreams. My ambition is to be a conscious dreamer, that is all.”

“The more power there is, the more bondage, the more fear.”

“Even the minds of animals, such as dogs, lions, cats, and serpents, become charmed with music.”

“We want the education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.”

“Thirst after body is the great bane of human life.”

“The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.”

“We are bound to earth by desire and also to God, heaven, and the angels. A slave is a slave whether to man, to God, or to angels.”

“Nature grinds all of us. Keep count of the ounce of pleasure you get. In the long run, nature did her work through you, and when you die your body will make other plants grow. Yet we think all the time that we are getting pleasure ourselves. Thus the wheel goes round.”