Wisdom Sources
Explore all the wisdom stories and ancient teachings that inform fAIble's responses
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Relativism
Protagoras declared "Man is the measure of all things," making truth relative to human perception. C...
Being
Parmenides argued that change is illusion—only being exists, and being cannot become non-being. His ...
Anthropomorphism
Xenophanes criticized anthropomorphic gods, noting that if horses had gods, they would look like hor...
Justice
Anaximander taught that justice governs the cosmos—elements must pay penalty for their existence by ...
Application
Thales predicted an eclipse and used astronomy to corner the olive oil market, proving philosophy ha...
Truth
Anaxagoras was imprisoned for teaching that the sun was a hot stone, not a god. He said from prison:...
Forces
Empedocles taught that love and strife govern all changes in the universe. Love brings elements toge...
Reason
Zeno created paradoxes showing that motion appears impossible when analyzed logically, yet obviously...
Learning
Ibn Sina taught that the soul's highest pleasure comes from knowledge of truth. "Knowledge is the fo...
Perspective
Democritus laughed at human follies while Heraclitus wept at the same spectacle. Both philosophers s...
Order
Pythagoras taught his students mathematical harmony, showing how numbers govern music, astronomy, an...
Change
Heraclitus observed: "You cannot step into the same river twice, for the waters flowing through it a...
Simplicity
Diogenes lived simply with only a bowl, cloak, and staff. Seeing a child drink from cupped hands, he...
Balance
Aristotle taught that virtue lies in the mean between extremes. Courage stands between cowardice and...
Truth
Plato told of prisoners chained in a cave, seeing only shadows on the wall, believing shadows were r...
Knowledge
Socrates encountered a young man boasting of his wisdom. Through questions, Socrates revealed the ma...
Companionship
Proverbs declares: "The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads th...
Peace
A proverb states: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." Inner state af...
Solidarity
Proverbs says: "Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the...
Action
A proverb teaches: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to a...
Commitment
Proverbs declares: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Dedicatio...
Speech
A proverb says: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its frui...
Silence
Proverbs teaches: "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold thei...
Transformation
Rumi wrote: "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am chang...
Mortality
Al-Ghazali, the Islamic mystic, wrote: "Remember often the destroyer of pleasures: death." This remi...
Unity
Shankara taught that individual self and universal self are identical, like waves and ocean. Separat...
Interconnection
Nagarjuna taught the Middle Way between existence and non-existence, showing how all phenomena arise...
Identity
Zhuangzi dreamed he was a butterfly, then woke wondering if he was now a butterfly dreaming of being...
Consistency
The Tao Te Ching teaches: "The sage does not attempt anything very big, and thus achieves greatness....
Education
Xunzi argued against Mencius that human nature is evil and requires education to become good. Both p...
Nature
Mencius taught that human nature is fundamentally good, like water flowing downhill. Evil comes from...
Language
Confucius was asked: "What would you do first if you were given charge of a state?" He replied: "Rec...
Education
Martianus Capella created an allegory of marriage between Mercury and Philology, showing how eloquen...
Tradition
Macrobius preserved Platonic philosophy through commentary, showing how traditions survive through d...
Honesty
Ammianus Marcellinus, the last great Roman historian, wrote: "No one learns anything useful about hi...
Leadership
Suetonius recorded emperors' private lives alongside public accomplishments, revealing how personal ...
Transformation
Apuleius wrote about transformation in "The Golden Ass," showing how curiosity about magic led to be...
Character
Quintilian taught rhetoric but emphasized character over technique. "The good person skilled in spea...
Oversight
Juvenal satirized Roman society with bitter humor, asking "Who will guard the guardians?" His questi...
Art
Ovid was exiled by Augustus for mysterious reasons, possibly connected to his "Art of Love." From ex...
History
Livy wrote Roman history to provide moral examples for contemporary citizens, believing that studyin...
Power
Tacitus observed that "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," watching emperors de...
Discernment
A proverb states: "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps." Naivet...
Beginnings
Sallust wrote: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." His historical works sho...
Attitude
Boethius, imprisoned and facing execution, wrote about fortune's wheel. "Nothing is miserable unless...
Contemplation
Plotinus experienced mystical union and said: "The soul becomes what it contemplates." His life demo...
Death
Lucretius taught that fear of death is the root of human misery. "Death is nothing to us," he argued...
Resources
Cicero faced exile for opposing tyranny. In his letters, he wrote: "A room without books is like a b...
Consolation
Boethius, condemned to death, wrote "The Consolation of Philosophy" while imprisoned, finding comfor...
Preservation
Hypatia taught mathematics and philosophy in Alexandria until religious violence ended both her life...
Integration
Proclus, the last great pagan philosopher, combined Platonic metaphysics with religious practice, cr...
Wholeness
Iamblichus taught that philosophy must include ritual and prayer, not just logical analysis. The who...
Balance
Porphyry, Plotinus student, was tempted toward suicide by philosophical melancholy. Plotinus sent hi...
Suspension
Sextus Empiricus compiled arguments showing that every philosophical position could be refuted, lead...
Logic
Chrysippus, the Stoic, developed logic so thoroughly that he proved a proposition, then proved its o...
Skepticism
Pyrrho traveled with Alexander to India, where he encountered naked philosophers who influenced his ...
Pleasure
Epicurus taught that pleasure is the highest good, but defined pleasure as absence of pain rather th...
Skepticism
Gorgias argued that nothing exists; if something existed, it could not be known; if known, it could ...
Trust
The Psalmist wrote: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastur...
Stillness
A Psalm teaches: "Be still, and know that I am God." In the rushing of daily life, this voice calls ...
Hope
The Psalmist cried: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" From the lowest p...
Transformation
A Psalm declares: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." The praye...
Gratitude
The Psalmist sang: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Each morni...
Cycles
A Psalm teaches: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." The rhythm of sorro...
Guidance
The Psalmist wrote: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." In confusion, ancient w...
Creation
A Psalm declares: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." ...
Self Knowledge
The Psalmist prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Tr...
Worry
A Psalm teaches: "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteo...
Foundation
The Psalmist wrote: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Human effort wit...
Vulnerability
A Psalm declares: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit....
Perspective
The Psalmist sang: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?" Looking beyond...
Provision
A Psalm teaches: "He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing fo...
Learning
The Psalmist prayed: "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness." Learning requi...
Meaning
A Psalm declares: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." Quality of experienc...
Strength
The Psalmist wrote: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my port...
Stewardship
A Psalm teaches: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." Ownership is stewardship rather th...
Peace
The Psalmist sang: "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety...
Freedom
A Psalm declares: "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me...
Longing
The Psalmist wrote: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Spir...
Wisdom
A Psalm teaches: "From the lips of children and infants you have called forth your praise." Wisdom s...
Direction
The Psalmist prayed: "Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." Direction requires...
Timing
A Psalm declares: "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Timing affects the value and meani...
Wholeness
The Psalmist sang: "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." Gratitude ...
Trust
Proverbs teaches: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in ...
Humility
A proverb states: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Overconfidence cr...
Communication
Proverbs says: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." The tone of resp...
Relationships
A proverb teaches: "Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Growth comes through fricti...
Planning
Proverbs declares: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Human plann...
Self Control
A proverb states: "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes ...
Friendship
Proverbs teaches: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." True...
Partnership
A proverb says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." Partnersh...
Character
Proverbs declares: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart...
Counsel
A proverb teaches: "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise person listens to advice....
Heart
Proverbs says: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Inner life d...
Reverence
A proverb states: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is...
Pride
Proverbs teaches: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Arrogance...
Integrity
A proverb declares: "Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice." Integrity ma...
Counsel
Proverbs says: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Isolation lead...
Generosity
A proverb teaches: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Giv...
Patience
Proverbs declares: "Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displa...
Focus
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "How much trouble he avoids who does not look to see what his neighbor says o...
Virtue
Marcus Aurelius taught: "The best way to avenge yourself is to not be like the person who did the in...
Detachment
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need ...
Clarity
Marcus Aurelius observed: "The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look thi...
Values
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "A person's worth is measured by the worth of what he values."
Mindfulness
Marcus Aurelius taught: "The things you think about determine the quality of your mind."
Gratitude
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Whenever you want to cheer yourself, consider the good qualities of your...
Self Worth
Marcus Aurelius observed: "It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people...
Presence
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present momen...
Perspective
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Remember how brief life is, how vast the universe. What may appear to be si...
Peace
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Today I escaped anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me...
Courage
Marcus Aurelius observed: "Death smiles at us all, but all a man can do is smile back."
Cooperation
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "We were born to work together like feet, hands, and eyes, like the two rows ...
Stability
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Be like the rocky headland on which the waves constantly break. It stands f...
Transformation
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it."
Anger
Marcus Aurelius observed: "How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of i...
Mindset
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "A man's life is what his thoughts make of it."
Strength
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spr...
Virtue
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "The mind that pursues the good, whether it achieves it or not, is honore...
Resilience
Marcus Aurelius observed: "Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by nature to bear."
Purpose
Marcus Aurelius' final reflection: "At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself...
Impermanence
Buddha taught: "All conditioned things are impermanent. Work out your salvation with diligence."
Suffering
A mother brought her dead child to Buddha, begging him to bring the child back to life. Buddha said ...
Mindset
Buddha observed: "The mind is everything. What you think you become."
Detachment
A man insulted Buddha repeatedly. Buddha remained silent. Finally, the man asked why Buddha didn't r...
Communication
Buddha taught: "Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace."
Stillness
A monk asked Buddha: "What is the greatest miracle?" Buddha replied: "That you can sit quietly witho...
Love
Buddha said: "Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeas...
Self Mastery
A wealthy man asked Buddha about the path to enlightenment. Buddha replied: "It is better to conquer...
Presence
Buddha taught: "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the pr...
Anger
A student asked about anger. Buddha said: "Holding on to anger is like holding a hot coal with the i...
Truth
Buddha observed: "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
Acceptance
A farmer complained to Buddha about his many problems. Buddha said: "Everyone has 83 problems in lif...
Self Love
Buddha taught: "If you truly loved yourself, you would never harm yourself with thoughts, words, or ...
Compassion
A disciple asked about compassion. Buddha replied: "If you want others to be happy, practice compass...
Mortality
A student worried about death. Buddha taught: "Of all footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. S...
Compassion
Buddha observed: "Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one culti...
Growth
A monk asked about enlightenment. Buddha replied: "Enlightenment is not imagining figures of light b...
Suffering
Buddha taught: "Pain is certain, suffering is optional."
Wisdom
A student asked about wisdom. Buddha said: "The fool who knows he is a fool is that much wiser."
Thoughts
Buddha observed: "What we think, we become."
Persistence
A disciple complained about difficult people. Buddha replied: "If you are facing in the right direct...
Contentment
Buddha taught: "Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best ...
Responsibility
A student asked about karma. Buddha said: "If you want to know your past, look at your present life....
Spirituality
Buddha observed: "The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart."
Happiness
A farmer asked about happiness. Buddha replied: "There is no path to happiness: happiness is the pat...
Understanding
Buddha taught: "Better it is to live one day seeing the rise and fall of things than to live a hundr...
Action
A student worried about making mistakes. Buddha said: "It is better to do nothing than to do what is...
Sharing
Buddha observed: "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the cand...
Liberation
Buddha's final teaching: "All composite things pass away. Strive for your own liberation with dilige...
Attachment
Buddha said: "The root of suffering is attachment."
Self Awareness
Epictetus observed: "Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly."
Humility
Epictetus taught: "When someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the words, but r...
Contentment
A student complained to Epictetus about his difficult circumstances. Epictetus replied: "It is not t...
Resilience
Epictetus said: "The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilot...
Control
When asked about the purpose of philosophy, Epictetus answered: "The art of living as a human being ...
Mastery
Epictetus observed: "Every art and every faculty contemplates certain things as its principal object...
Acceptance
A wealthy man visited Epictetus and boasted of his possessions. Epictetus replied: "Show me someone ...
Fear
Epictetus taught: "When I see a man in anxiety or fear, I say, 'What does this man want?' If he did ...
Perspective
A student asked Epictetus about anger. He replied: "Remember that it is we who torment, we who make ...
Integrity
Epictetus said: "The best revenge is not to be like your enemy."
Courage
When criticized for his teachings, Epictetus responded: "I cannot escape death, but at least I can e...
Integrity
Epictetus taught: "Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people ...
Growth
A student complained about unfair treatment. Epictetus said: "If you want to improve, be content to ...
Relationships
When asked about friendship, Epictetus said: "If you want to be loved, love."
Acceptance
Epictetus taught: "The willing, destiny guides them. The unwilling, destiny drags them."
Contentment
A wealthy student asked about happiness. Epictetus replied: "It is not the man who has too little, b...
Change
Epictetus said: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Acceptance
When students worried about reputation, Epictetus taught: "Seek not to have events happen as you wan...
Peace
Epictetus observed: "The philosophers say that peace comes from within, and they are right."
Control
A student asked about handling difficult people. Epictetus replied: "Remember that you are an actor ...
Purpose
Epictetus taught: "First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."
Peace
When asked about worry, Epictetus said: "Today I escaped anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it ...
Adaptability
Epictetus observed: "Don't demand that things happen as you wish—hope that they happen as they do, a...
Self Worth
A student complained about injustice. Epictetus replied: "When someone is properly grounded in life,...
Humility
Epictetus taught: "If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, make no other answer...
Simplicity
When asked about success, Epictetus said: "Wealth consists in not having great possessions, but in h...
Purpose
Epictetus observed: "Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought...
Growth
A student worried about failure. Epictetus replied: "Difficulties show men what they are. In case of...
Learning
Epictetus taught: "As long as you live, keep learning how to live."
Learning
When criticized for his simple lifestyle, Epictetus said: "I have learned throughout my life as a co...
Relationships
Epictetus observed: "The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence call...
Patience
A student asked about patience. Epictetus replied: "No great thing is created suddenly, any more tha...
Truth
Epictetus taught: "If you seek truth you will not seek to gain a victory by every possible means; an...
Freedom
When asked about liberty, Epictetus said: "No one is free who is not master of himself."
Strength
Epictetus observed: "All cruelty springs from weakness."
Wisdom
A student worried about others' opinions. Epictetus replied: "If anyone wanted to give their childre...
Peace
Epictetus taught: "There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things whi...
Growth
When asked about virtue, Epictetus said: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end....
Mindset
Epictetus observed: "The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it."
Authenticity
A final teaching from Epictetus: "Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
Trust
Jesus said: "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even...
Attachment
A rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus said: "Go, sell everythi...
Judgment
Jesus taught: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you wi...
Simplicity
When the disciples argued about who was greatest, Jesus called a child and said: "Truly I tell you, ...
Surrender
Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke ...
Forgiveness
A woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus. He said: "Let any one of you who is without sin be ...
Patience
Jesus told this parable: "A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for frui...
Humility
Jesus said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those ...
Love
When asked about enemies, Jesus taught: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, tha...
Faith
Jesus said: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be ope...
Healing
A paralyzed man was lowered through a roof to reach Jesus. Jesus said: "Son, your sins are forgiven....
Values
Jesus taught: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Presence
When disciples worried about provisions, Jesus said: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tom...
Truth
Jesus said: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Fulfillment
A Samaritan woman at a well asked Jesus for water. Jesus replied: "Everyone who drinks this water wi...
Peace
Jesus told his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the ...
Peace
When Peter tried to defend Jesus with a sword, Jesus said: "Put your sword back in its place, for al...
Faith
Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mou...
Compassion
A rich man ignored a poor beggar named Lazarus at his gate. After death, their fortunes reversed. Je...
Commitment
Jesus said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and ...
Forgiveness
When Jesus was crucified, he prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing...
Discipline
Jesus taught: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads ...
Love
A woman anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. When criticized for waste, Jesus said: "Why are...
Service
Jesus said: "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people."
Wisdom
When questioned about paying taxes, Jesus said: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God wh...
Inclusion
Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I ...
Faith
A centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone ...
Wisdom
Jesus said: "Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
Love
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your hear...
Potential
Jesus said: "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even great...
Surrender
Before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my...
Peace
Jesus said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will ...
Faith
A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched Jesus' garment and was healed. Jesus said: "D...
Priorities
Jesus said: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"
Compassion
When his disciples fell asleep while he prayed in anguish, Jesus said: "The spirit is willing, but t...
Guidance
Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will h...
Mission
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and said: "Peace be with you! As the Father ...
Mission
Jesus' final recorded words: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the ...
Faith
When Thomas doubted the resurrection, Jesus said: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; bles...
Redemption
Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" to the criminal crucified besi...
Integrity
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The best revenge is not to be like your enemy."
Happiness
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, i...
Perspective
Marcus Aurelius observed: "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is perspe...
Change
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it."
Presence
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Confine yourself to the present."
Love
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Adapt yourself to the life you've been given, but love the people with w...
Acceptance
Marcus Aurelius observed: "Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature's delight."
Resilience
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing."
Standards
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself."
Community
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "What brings no benefit to the hive can bring none to the bee."
Mindset
Marcus Aurelius observed: "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."
Preparation
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today...
Control
Marcus Aurelius taught: "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you wil...
Obstacles
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes...
Action
Marcus Aurelius observed: "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one."
Focus
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "If you seek tranquility, do less. Or more accurately, do what is necessary."
Simplicity
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life."
Character
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts."
Acceptance
Marcus Aurelius observed: "Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom ...
Habit
A philosopher observed: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit....
Readiness
An old saying goes: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
Courage
A wise teacher said: "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."
Service
A Zen student approached his master and said: "I am very discouraged. What should I do?" The master ...
Service
Jesus said: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be f...
Love
Jesus taught: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Mercy
Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
Values
Jesus said: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Faith
Jesus taught: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be o...
Judgment
Jesus said: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged...
Peace
Jesus taught: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
Community
An African proverb says: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Character
A Native American grandfather told his grandson: "There is a battle between two wolves inside us all...
Control
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "If you seek tranquility, do less. Or more accurately, do what is necessa...
Acceptance
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Adapt yourself to the life you've been given, but love the people with w...
Growth
Seneca said: "The mind that is not baffled is not employed."
Authenticity
Epictetus taught: "Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
Happiness
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in yo...
Happiness
Seneca advised: "True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future....
Identity
Epictetus observed: "First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."
Standards
Marcus Aurelius taught: "Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself."
Resilience
Seneca wrote: "Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body."
Self Worth
Epictetus said: "When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn't have to look outside them...
Humility
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is persp...
Purpose
Seneca said: "Life is long enough if you know how to use it."
Freedom
Epictetus taught: "No one is free who is not master of himself."
Mindset
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it."
Growth
Seneca advised: "As long as you live, keep learning how to live."
Contentment
Epictetus observed: "Wealth consists in not having great possessions, but in having few wants."
Integrity
Marcus Aurelius taught: "The best revenge is not to be like your enemy."
Change
Seneca wrote: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Perspective
Epictetus said: "It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
Mindfulness
Marcus Aurelius reflected: "Confine yourself to the present."
Acceptance
Seneca observed: "The willing, destiny guides them. The unwilling, destiny drags them."
Resilience
Epictetus taught: "No one can hurt you without your permission."
Trust
Jesus said: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell...
Control
Marcus Aurelius wrote: "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will...
Fear
Seneca wrote: "We suffer more in imagination than in reality."
Duty
The Bhagavad Gita tells of Arjuna, a warrior who refused to fight because he saw relatives and teach...
Self Awareness
A Sufi master was asked: "What is the most difficult thing in the spiritual path?" He replied: "To s...
Mindfulness
Buddha taught: "A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Co...
Compassion
A monk asked Buddha: "How should I treat my enemies?" Buddha replied: "The best way to take care of ...
Suffering
Buddha told of a woman whose child had died. Grief-stricken, she begged him to bring her child back ...
Compassion
Jesus told them this parable: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked ...
Potential
Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field...
Forgiveness
Jesus said: "A man had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of th...
Self Awareness
Jesus told this parable: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fel...
Humility
The Tao Te Ching says: "The highest good is like water, which nourishes everything and competes with...
Judgment
A farmer's horse ran away. Neighbors said "How terrible!" The farmer replied "Maybe." The horse retu...
Truth Seeking
Mulla Nasrudin was searching for his keys under a street lamp. A friend asked: "Did you drop them he...
Control
Epictetus taught: "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find...
Attachment
A monk asked Master Yunmen: "What is Buddha?" Yunmen replied: "A dried shit stick." The monk was sho...
Perception
Two monks argued about a flag flapping in the wind. One said "The flag is moving." The other said "T...
Paradox
A student asked Master Joshu: "Does a dog have Buddha nature?" Joshu answered: "Mu" (No/Nothing). Bu...
Self Awareness
An old Cherokee told his grandson: "A fight goes on inside me between two wolves. One is evil—anger,...
Knowledge
A scholar met a boatman and asked about grammar, literature, philosophy. The boatman knew none. "Hal...
Perspective
Six blind men touched different parts of an elephant. One felt the trunk and said it was like a snak...
Self Awareness
An old Cherokee told his grandson: "A fight goes on inside me between two wolves. One is evil—anger,...