Dalai Lama Quotes

The end of education is to see men made whole, both in competence and in conscience.

The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.

Does character develop over time? In novels, of course it does: otherwise there wouldn't be much of a story. But in life? I sometimes wonder. Our attitudes and opinions change, we develop new habits and eccentricities; but that's something different, more like decoration. Perhaps character resembles intelligence, except that character peaks a little later: between twenty and thirty, say. And after that, we're just stuck with what we've got. We're on our own. If so, that would explain a lot of lives, wouldn't it? And also - if this isn't too grand a word - our tragedy.

Your ideas about right and wrong are just that-ideas. They are the thoughts which form the shape and create the substance of Who You Are. There would be only one reason to change any of these; only one purpose in making an alteration: if you are not happy with Who You Are.

The proper use of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.

People study martial arts for many reasons, sometimes all the wrong reasons. For example, I have had potential students come to my dojo with a belligerent and cocky attitude. When I ask why they want to study my art, their response has indicated to me that their goal is to learn to fight, which is the antithesis of the philosophy I hope to instill: I want them to know how to defend themselves if necessary, but to avoid fighting whenever possible because they will have nothing to prove by fighting.

The more we grow in love and virtue and holiness, the more we see love and virtue and holiness outside. All condemnation of others really condemns ourselves. Adjust the microcosm (which is in your power to do) and the macrocosm will adjust itself for you. It is like the hydrostatic paradox, one drop of water can balance the universe.

You cannot wait until everything becomes better before you decide to have a good attitude. You have to be the best you can be right where you are.

Unless you change how you are, you will always have what you've got.

Every change in human attitude must come through internal understanding and acceptance. Man is the only known creature who can reshape and remould himself by altering his attitude.

An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.

Repentance is not completed by a single act, it must be incorporated into our mind, till it become a fixed state, arising from a continual sense of our need of it.

All education is the art of making men ethical (sittlich), of transforming the old Adam into the new Adam.

How much shall I be changed, before I am changed!

If you did not care at all what anyone else thought about you, what would you do differently or change in your life?

There's nothing new under the sun. All the roads lead to Rome. And people cannot provide it for you. I can't wake you up. You can wake you up. I can't cure you. You can cure you.

True spirituality is a mental attitude you can practice at any time.

Only human beings can reorder their lives any day they choose by refining their philosophy.

You always want to be better than you are. No matter what, I think that's important.

All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs.

For changes to be of any true value, they've got to be lasting and consistent. Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards... If you don't set a baseline standard for what you'll accept in life, you'll find it's easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that's far below what you deserve... Whatever happens, take responsibility... The only thing that's keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself.

Lord I'm Doing All I Can To Be A Better Man.

You do not know me,’ said Tortoise. ‘I am a changed man. I have learned that a man who makes trouble for others makes trouble for himself.

God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches by means of opposites so that you will have two wings to fly, not one.

I believe each human being has the potential to change, to transform one’s own attitude, no matter how difficult the situation.