Swami Vivekananda: Inspiring Visionary and Global Spiritual Ambassador

Vivekananda Quotes On Character

Swami Vivekananda's teachings on character emphasized the development of noble qualities and virtues. Here are some of his quotes that touch upon the importance of character:

1. "Character is repeated habits, and repeated habits alone can reform character."

2. "Your character is your divinity. Divinity is not in weakness. It is strength. Divinity is not in the coward. It is a lion."

3. "It is the good character, the strong character, the unswerving character, that accomplishes the work of the world."

4. "The only test of good things is that they make us strong."

5. "Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth."

6. "Be strong! You talk of ghosts and devils. We are the living devils. The sign of life is strength and growth. The sign of death is weakness. Whatever is weak, avoid! It is death. If it is strength, go down into hell and get hold of it! There is salvation only for the brave. 'None but the brave deserves the fair.' None but the bravest deserves salvation."

7. "It is good to love God for hope of reward in this or the next world, but it is better to love God for love’s sake, and the prayer goes: 'Lord, I do not want wealth, nor children, nor learning. If it be Thy will, I shall go from birth to birth, but grant me this, that I may love Thee without the hope of reward—love unselfishly for love’s sake.'"

8. "The greatest help to spiritual life is meditation. In meditation we divest ourselves of all material conditions and feel our divine nature. We do not depend upon any external help in meditation."

9. "To work without attachment is to work without the expectation of reward or fear of any punishment in this world or the next. Work so done is a means to the end, and God is the end."

10. "Character has to be established through a thousand stumbles."

11. "The only religion that ought to be taught is the religion of fearlessness. Either in this world or in the world of religion, it is true that fear is the sure cause of degradation and sin."

12. "All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak."

13. "The greatest sin is to think yourself weak."

14. "Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way."

15. "Do not look back upon what has been done. Go ahead!"

Vivekananda Quotes On Education

Swami Vivekananda had profound insights on education and its role in shaping individuals and societies. Here are some quotes where he shares his thoughts on education:

1. "Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there undigested, all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character-making assimilation of ideas."

2. "The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion— is it worth the name?"

3. "We want that 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."

4. "The only remedy for India is education. The education which is slowly but surely taking possession of the minds of the people—the education which will be the leaven of all future reforms—is the education of the heart."

5. "True education is that which makes a man realize the highest aim of life which is character."

6. "Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man."

7. "We must have life-building, character-making, assimilation of ideas."

8. "What we need is an education which will give us insight into every side of life and will enable us to discover the meaning of life and purpose of life."

9. "Man is to become divine by realizing the divine. Idols or temples, or churches or books, are only the supports, the help of his spiritual childhood."

10. "In education, what we have to do is to make our children as much as possible like the ideal which is presented before them."

11. "Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life."

12. "Character has to be established through a thousand stumbles."

13. "We must learn that nothing in the world is good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

14. "Books are infinite in number and time is short; therefore the secret of knowledge is to take what is essential. Take that and try to live up to it."

15. "Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man."

These quotes emphasize the holistic nature of education, focusing not just on the acquisition of information but on character-building, the development of strength of mind, and the realization of one's innate potential. Swami Vivekananda advocated for an education system that would empower individuals to lead purposeful and meaningful lives.

Vivekananda Quotes On Life

Swami Vivekananda's teachings on life are inspirational and reflect his profound understanding of the human experience. Here are some quotes where he shares his thoughts on various aspects of life:

1. "You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul."

2. "Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet."

3. "Fill the brain with high thoughts, highest ideals, place them day and night before you, and out of that will come great work."

4. "Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is achieved."

5. "The greatest sin is to think yourself weak."

6. "In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart."

7. "The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire."

8. "The goal of mankind is knowledge."

9. "Take risks in your life. If you win, you may lead; if you lose, you may guide."

10. "You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself."

11. "The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him—that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free."

12. "You have to believe in yourself and be strong. Never give up and never stop believing in yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to."

13. "Stand as a rock; you are indestructible. You are the Self, the God of the universe."

14. "Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world."

15. "Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way."

16. "Be a hero. Always say, 'I have no fear.'"

17. "The only test of good things is that they make us strong."

18. "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success."

19. "Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can, build your hope on none."

20. "They alone live who live for others."

21. "To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. 'I will drink the ocean,' says the persevering soul; 'at my will, mountains will crumble up.'"

22. "Learn from your past, but do not let the past define you."

23. "Learn everything that is good from others but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it; do not become others."

24. "The brain and muscles must develop simultaneously. Iron nerves with an intelligent brain—and the whole world is at your feet."

25. "As long as we believe ourselves to be even the least different from God, fear remains with us; but when we know ourselves to be the One, fear goes; of what can we be afraid?"

These quotes encompass Swami Vivekananda's perspective on the essence of life, self-belief, perseverance, and the pursuit of higher ideals. They offer valuable insights into living a purposeful and fulfilling life.