Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind.

Custom is our nature. What are our natural principles but principles of custom?

I can do no other than be reverent before everything that is called life. I can do no other than to have compassion for all that is called life. That is the beginning and the foundation of all ethics.

It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence.

I’m trying to keep a level head. You have to be careful out in the world. It’s so easy to get turned.

Consider a tree for a moment. As beautiful as trees are to look at, we don’t see what goes on underground – as they grow roots. Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty. But we don’t see the roots. We just see and enjoy the beauty. In much the same way, what goes on inside of us is like the roots of a tree.

Sometimes I try to just sit at home and do something calmer and simpler and just be in my life. You know, not trying to solve a lot of things at once.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.

All government, of course, is against liberty.

Will not a tiny speck very close to our vision blot out the glory of the world, and leave only a margin by which we see the blot? I know no speck so troublesome as self.

We pity in others only the those evils which we ourselves have experienced.

Nurture your minds with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes.

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.

Sisters are brittle things. God was penurious with me, which makes me shrewd with Him. One is a dainty sum! One bird, one cage, one flight; one song in those far woods, as yet suspected by faith only!

Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.

Fear, separation, hate and anger come from the wrong view that you and the Earth are two separate entities, the Earth is only the environment. You are in the centre and you want to do something for the Earth in order for you to survive. That is a dualistic way of seeing.

Personal beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of reference.

The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them.

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

Above all, this country is our own. Nobody has to get up in the morning and worry what his neighbors think of him. Being a Jew is no problem here.

I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory.

When we’re looking for compassion, we need someone who is deeply rooted, is able to bend and, most of all, embraces us for our strengths and struggles.

The man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.

I am particularly drawn to the form of meditation called Japa. I know it works.

Consciously or unconsciously most of us adhere to what is expected of our role because we realize our social success depends on this. Some may refuse to play this game, but in the end they are marginalized and forced to play the outsider role, with limited options and decreasing freedom as they get older.

We do not judge the people we love.

All art is but imitation of nature.

Anything can make me stop and look and wonder, and sometimes learn.

The only certain freedom’s in departure.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Thoughts are fine when you don’t confuse them with who you are, and then thoughts are not a problem. Thinking is a wonderful tool to create things in this world. It only becomes problematic and a source of suffering when you confuse thinking with who you are.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.

Men feel that cruelty to the poor is a kind of cruelty to animals. They never feel that it is an injustice to equals; nay it is treachery to comrades.

Let us ask ourselves, ‚What kind of people do we think we are?‘ And let us answer, ‚Free people, worthy of freedom and determined not only to remain so but to help others gain their freedom as well.‘

People don’t realize that now is all there ever is; there is no past or future except as memory or anticipation in your mind.

Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.

There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty.

Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is life itself, it is an insane way to live.

Talent grips us. We are overtaken by the beauty of Michelangelo’s sculpture, riveted by Mariah Carey’s angelic voice, doubled over in laughter by the comedy of Robin Williams, and captivated by the on screen performances of Denzel Washington.

There is so much that people take for granted.

Women have to be extremely careful about choosing something that they consider an act of defiance that can really be used to further their enslavement.

For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.

Men may change their climate, but they cannot change their nature. A man that goes out a fool cannot ride or sail himself into common sense.

I think my worst problem is actually living in the moment and understanding everything that’s going on. I feel like I’m in my own bubble.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

For greed all nature is too little.

When thou art above measure angry, bethink thee how momentary is man’s life.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

Nature cannot be tricked or cheated. She will give up to you the object of your struggles only after you have paid her price.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

Human beings may well be unable to break free of the dictatorship of greed that spreads like a miasma over the world, but no longer will we be an inarticulate and ignorant humanity, confused by our enslavement to superior cruelty and weaponry.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.

He best keeps from anger who remembers that God is always looking upon him.

To be free is to have achieved your life.

Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization.

A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough.

Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.