The mind is everything. What you think, you become. We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. You yourself must strive. The Buddhas only point the way. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger. Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, a trusted friend the best relative. Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one cultivate a boundless love towards all beings. All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If you truly love yourself, you could never hurt another. There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path. Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness with generosity. Conquer dishonesty with truth. Radiate boundless love towards the entire world. As an elephant in the battlefield withstands arrows shot from bows all around, even so shall I endure abuse. Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one’s own acts, done and undone. Should you find a wise critic to point out your faults, follow him as you would a guide to hidden treasure. There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires. Speak only endearing speech, speech that is welcomed. Speech, when it brings no evil to others, is a pleasant thing. Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering. Resolutely train yourself to attain peace. In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. The root of suffering is attachment.
