Quotes from Dhammapada

The best-known book of the Pali Canon: 423 verses of the Buddha's teaching arranged by theme — the mind, anger, happiness, the fool and the wise. The Dhammapada is where most of the Buddha's famous one-liners actually live, including the opening declaration that mind precedes all things. Below: the 16 quotes in the QuotePlace collection that are verifiably from this work, each marked 'Source verified' on its own page.

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

What we think, we become.

The mind is everything. What you think you become.

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. — Gautama Buddha

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

A jug fills drop by drop.

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

However many holy words you read, However many you speak, What good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?

Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.

Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law. — Gautama Buddha

Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness with generosity. — Gautama Buddha

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness with generosity.

Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good. — Gautama Buddha

Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.

Explore more: All Gautama Buddha quotes · Meditations · Tao Te Ching · Illusions · The Analects · The Prophet · Think and Grow Rich · The Art of War · Letters to Lucilius · Enchiridion · Did they really say it?