Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world, has left behind a treasure trove of wisdom. His thoughts inspire millions to this day, encouraging them to live life with courage, strength, and a sense of purpose. Here are 200 Swami Vivekananda Thoughts that I have presented with their simple meanings.
- “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Meaning: Keep going until you reach your goal. Never give up. - “Strength is life, weakness is death.”
Meaning: Being strong helps you live fully. Being weak holds you back. - “All the power is within you; you can do anything and everything.”
Meaning: You have all the power you need inside you. You can achieve anything. - “Be not afraid of anything. You will do marvellous work.”
Meaning: Don’t be scared. You can do great things. - “Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.”
Meaning: There are many ways to tell the truth. All can be right. - “The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified.”
Meaning: Helping others cleans our hearts and makes us better. - “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life.”
Meaning: Focus on one idea. Let it guide your life. - “All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind because oneness is the secret of everything.”
Meaning: Everything is connected. Differences are just in how much, not what they are. - “The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.”
Meaning: The world is like a gym. It’s where we get strong. - “In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
Meaning: When unsure, listen to your heart over your mind. - “Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.”
Meaning: You find God in your heart and in every living thing. - “Talk to yourself once in a day, otherwise you may miss meeting an excellent person in this world.”
Meaning: Talk to yourself to know how great you are. - “The very reason for nature’s existence is for the education of the soul.”
Meaning: Nature exists to teach our souls and help us grow. - “Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison.”
Meaning: Avoid things that weaken you in any way.
- “He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery.”
Meaning: With courage and faith, you won’t be stuck in sadness. - “Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man.”
Meaning: Learning shows the greatness already inside us. - “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think.”
Meaning: Your thoughts shape who you are. Think carefully. - “The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.”
Meaning: The same thing that helps us can hurt us. It’s how we use it. - “External nature is only internal nature writ large.”
Meaning: The outside world reflects our inner world. - “The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful.”
Meaning: True success comes from not expecting anything in return. Being selfless leads to happiness.
- “Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success and, above all, love.”
Meaning: Success comes from being pure, waiting patiently, and not giving up. Love is the most important. - “Do one thing at a time, and while doing it put your whole soul into it to the exclusion of all else.”
Meaning: Focus on one task at a time. Put your heart and soul into it. - “The earth is enjoyed by heroes—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear’.”
Meaning: Brave people enjoy life the most. Be brave and fear nothing. - “Blessed are they whose bodies get destroyed in the service of others.”
Meaning: People who help others, even if it costs them, are truly blessed. - “The universe is the externalization of the soul.”
Meaning: The universe reflects what’s inside our soul. - “We are what we think. All that we are arises from our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
Meaning: Our thoughts shape who we are and the world around us. - “Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal.”
Meaning: We all have divinity inside. Our goal is to show this divinity by mastering our surroundings and ourselves. - “If the mind is intensely eager, everything can be accomplished—mountains can be crumbled into atoms.”
Meaning: If you really want it, you can do anything, even the impossible. - “Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny.”
Meaning: Be brave and strong. You shape your future. - “All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life.”
Meaning: Love makes everything grow. Being selfish makes things smaller. So, love is the rule to live by. - “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.”
Meaning: Don’t criticize. Help if you can. If not, wish them well and let them be.
- “In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.”
Meaning: You are divine. Believe in your inner divinity. - “The power of concentration is the only key to the treasure-house of knowledge.”
Meaning: Focusing your mind is the way to unlock all knowledge. - “Neither seek nor avoid, take what comes.”
Meaning: Don’t chase or run from life. Accept what life brings. - “It is the cheerful mind that is persevering. It is the strong mind that hews its way through a thousand difficulties.”
Meaning: A happy and strong mind can overcome any challenge. - “The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know how to knock, how to give it the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow come through concentration.”
Meaning: The secrets of the world can be ours if we know how to focus our efforts correctly. - “There is no help for you outside of yourself; you are the creator of the universe. Like the silkworm, you have built a cocoon around yourself. Who will save you? Break your own shell.”
Meaning: Help comes from within. You create your world. Break free from your limitations. - “Books are infinite in number and time is short. The secret of knowledge is to take what is essential. Take that and try to live up to it.”
Meaning: There are too many books and not enough time. Learn what’s important and live by it. - “The very essence of education is the concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts.” Meaning: Education is about focusing the mind, not just gathering information.
- “Do not believe in a thing because you have read about it in a book. Do not believe in a thing because another man has said it was true. Find out the truth for yourself.”
Meaning: Seek your own truth, not just what’s in books or said by others. - “Each work has to pass through these stages—ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.”
Meaning: New ideas face laughter, resistance, and finally acceptance. Visionaries are often misunderstood. - “Meditation can turn fools into sages but unfortunately fools never meditate.”
Meaning: Meditation can greatly improve wisdom, but those who need it most often overlook it. - “It is better to wear out than to rust out.”
Meaning: Better to be active and wear down than to do nothing and deteriorate. - “The very best thing for you is to think out the whole matter for yourselves. Just as you would take up any other scientific subject.”
Meaning: Think for yourself, as you would approach any scientific inquiry. - “All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind.”
Meaning: The source of all knowledge is within us, waiting to be discovered. - “The more we grow in love and virtue and holiness, the more we see love and virtue and holiness outside.”
Meaning: Growing in love and goodness lets us see more of it in the world. - “All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”
Meaning: We already possess great power; our fears and doubts are what blind us to this truth. - “It is faith that makes a lion of a man.”
Meaning: Faith transforms a person into someone strong and fearless. - “If money helps a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better.”
Meaning: Money is only valuable if used to benefit others; otherwise, it’s a burden.
- “The essence of Vedanta is that there is but one Being and that every soul is that Being in full, not a part of that Being.”
Meaning: At the core, we are all one, sharing the same divine essence. - “We reap what we sow. We are the makers of our own fate. None else has the blame, none has the praise.”
Meaning: We are responsible for our actions and their outcomes, for better or worse. - “The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know how to knock, how to give it the necessary blow.”
Meaning: Knowledge and secrets will reveal themselves if we only know how to seek them. - “Strength is the sign of vigour, the sign of life, the sign of hope, the sign of health, and the sign of everything that is good.”
Meaning: Strength embodies life, hope, and all that is positive in the world. - “The greatest sin is to think yourself weak.”
Meaning: Seeing yourself as weak is the greatest disservice you can do to yourself. - “Never be weak. You must be strong; you have infinite strength within you.”
Meaning: Embrace the boundless strength that lies within you. - “How can we expect mercy if we are not merciful ourselves? How can we expect charity if we are not charitable?”
Meaning: We must embody the virtues we seek from others. - “Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life.”
Meaning: True education involves digesting and applying knowledge, not just accumulating facts. - “The very reason for nature’s existence is for the education of the soul.”
Meaning: Nature exists to teach and nurture our souls.
- “A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring youth is the only foundation on which the future nation can be built.”
Meaning: The future rests on the shoulders of the young who are brave, honest, and full of aspirations. - “Your body is a weapon and consider it very strong. Consider your mind to be very strong, for actually you are.”
Meaning: Believe in the strength of your body and mind; you are truly powerful. - “Be grateful to the man you help, think of him as God. Is it not a great privilege to be allowed to worship God by helping our fellow men?”
Meaning: Helping others is an act of worship, a way to express gratitude and see divinity in everyone. - “The cheerful mind perseveres, and the strong mind hews its way through a thousand difficulties.”
Meaning: A positive mindset endures hardships, while a strong will can overcome any obstacle. - “If you think yourselves strong, strong you will be.”
Meaning: Belief in your own strength makes you stronger. - “Work and worship are necessary to take away the veil, to lift off the bondage and illusion.” Meaning: Through work and worship, we can see the world more clearly, free from illusions.
Some More Popular Swami Vivekananda Thoughts
- “Whatever you believe, that you will be, If you believe yourselves to be ages, ages you will be tomorrow. There is nothing to obstruct you.”
Meaning: Your beliefs shape your future; nothing can stop you from becoming what you believe. - “In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are travelling in the wrong path.”
Meaning: Facing challenges is a sign of progress and being on the right path. - “All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind.”
Meaning: The mind holds all knowledge, like a vast library waiting to be explored. - “The more we grow in love and virtue and holiness, the more we see love and virtue and holiness outside.”
Meaning: Growing in love and goodness lets us see more of it in the world. - “All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind because oneness is the secret of everything.”
Meaning: Differences among us are just variations; at the core, we are all one. - “The earth is enjoyed by heroes—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear’.”
Meaning: True enjoyment of life is for the brave. Face life fearlessly. - “Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can to build your hope on none.”
Meaning: Act now. Depends on your actions, not on others or circumstances. - “It is the cheerful mind that perseveres and the strong mind that hews its way through a thousand difficulties.”
Meaning: A joyful and strong mind overcomes any obstacle.
- “The great secret of true success is for a man to be ready at the moment and to take advantage of that moment when it comes.”
Meaning: True success lies in seizing the moment when opportunities arise. - “We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.”
Meaning: Our current state and future are in our own hands. - “The greatest truths are the simplest: so are the greatest men.”
Meaning: Simplicity marks both the greatest truths and the greatest people. - “Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison.”
Meaning: Avoid anything that weakens you in any way.
- “Strength, strength it is that we want so much in this life, for what we call sin and sorrow have all one cause, and that is our weakness.”
Meaning: Strength is essential in life; weakness leads to mistakes and sadness. - “The very reason for fear is the absence of love. The moment love comes, fear disappears.”
Meaning: Fear exists where there’s no love. Love casts out all fear. - “In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.”
Meaning: You carry divinity within you. - “Ask nothing; want nothing in return. Give what you have to give; it will come back to you, but do not think of that now.”
Meaning: Give selflessly. Rewards will come, but that shouldn’t be your focus. - “The only true teacher is he who can immediately come down to the level of the student, and transfer his soul to the student’s soul and see through and understand through his mind.”
Meaning: The best teacher empathizes deeply with the students, understanding their perspective. - “The will is not free—it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect—but there is something behind the will which is free.”
Meaning: Willpower is influenced by many factors, but our core self has true freedom. - “Let us not depend upon the world for pleasure.”
Meaning: Seek joy not from external sources, but from within.
- “Be not in despair, the way is very difficult, like walking on the edge of a razor; yet despair not, arise, awake, and find the ideal, the goal.”
Meaning: Though the path is tough, don’t lose hope. Keep striving for your ideals. - “The very essence of education is the concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts.”
Meaning: True education involves focusing the mind, beyond just gathering facts. - “Do not believe in a thing because you have read about it in a book. Do not believe in a thing because another man has said it was true. Find out the truth for yourself.”
Meaning: Seek your own truth, rather than accepting what’s handed down or written. - “Meditation can turn fools into sages but unfortunately fools never meditate.”
Meaning: Meditation has the power to transform, yet those who need it most may not practice it. - “It is better to wear out than to rust out.”
Meaning: Better to be actively engaged and worn down than to remain inactive and deteriorate. - “The very best thing for you is to think out the whole matter for yourselves. Just as you would take up any other scientific subject.”
Meaning: Think for yourself, as you would approach any scientific problem. - “Stand up and be strong! No fear. No superstition. Face the truth as it is!”
Meaning: Be fearless and strong. Reject superstition and face reality head-on. - “Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith, faith in God – this is the secret of greatness.”
Meaning: Have faith in yourself and in the divine. Faith is the key to achieving greatness.
- “The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.”
Meaning: Life’s challenges are exercises to strengthen our character and abilities. - “Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.”
Meaning: There are many perspectives on truth, all of which can be valid. - “To be good and to do good – that is the whole of religion.”
Meaning: The essence of true religion is simply to be kind and do good deeds. - “We reap what we sow. We are the makers of our own fate.”
Meaning: Our actions determine our future. We shape our destiny through our deeds. - “The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.”
Meaning: The things that benefit us can also harm us if not used wisely. - “External nature is only internal nature writ large.”
Meaning: The outside world reflects our inner state and vice versa. - “Do not believe that you are weak; do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do nowadays. Stand up and express the divinity within you.”
Meaning: Reject self-doubt and embrace the divine power within you. - “Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal.”
Meaning: We all have divine potential, and our aim is to reveal it through mastery over our environment and ourselves. - “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.”
Meaning: Learning draws out the inherent excellence within us.
- “Are you unselfish? That is the question. If you are, you will be perfect without reading a single religious book, without going into a single church or temple.”
Meaning: Selflessness leads to perfection, beyond religious practices or texts. - “Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear’.”
Meaning: Embrace courage and declare your freedom from fear. - “Let new India arise out of peasants’ cottage, grasping the plough, out of huts, cobbler and sweeper.”
Meaning: The future of India lies in empowering its humblest citizens. - “The very reason for nature’s existence is for the education of the soul.”
Meaning: Nature exists to teach and enrich our souls. - “The only way to eternal peace is to realize the oneness of the universe.”
Meaning: Understanding our universal connection brings lasting peace. - “Everything is easy when you are busy. But nothing is easy when you are lazy.”
Meaning: Activity simplifies tasks, while laziness complicates them. - “The power of concentration is the only key to the treasure-house of knowledge.”
Meaning: Focused attention unlocks all learning. - “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.”
Meaning: Offer help or blessings, but never condemn. - “The whole life is a succession of dreams. My ambition is to be a conscious dreamer, that is all.”
Meaning: Life is like a dream, and the goal is to live it with awareness. - “In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are travelling in the wrong path.”
Meaning: Facing challenges is a sign of progress on the right path. - “Strength is the sign of vigour, the sign of life, the sign of hope, the sign of health, and the sign of everything that is good.”
Meaning: Strength embodies vitality, optimism, and the essence of positive existence.
- “The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves.”
Meaning: The world is shaped by those who believe in their own power. - “Talk to yourself at least once in a day. Otherwise, you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
Meaning: Self-reflection connects you with your inner greatness. - “The greatest truth is honesty and the greatest falsehood is dishonesty.”
Meaning: Honesty is the highest virtue, while dishonesty is the worst deceit. - “Let us not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless when facing them.”
Meaning: Pray for courage in adversity, not for an easy life. - “It is better to wear out than to rust out.”
Meaning: Better to be actively engaged and worn down than to remain inactive and deteriorate. - “Whatever you believe, that you will be, if you believe yourselves to be gods, gods you will be.”
Meaning: Your belief in yourself shapes your reality and identity. - “The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.”
Meaning: Life’s challenges are meant to strengthen us, not to break us. - “In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
Meaning: Trusting your intuition often leads to the most fulfilling path.
- “The only test of good things is that they make us strong.”
Meaning: True value lies in anything that builds our inner strength. - “Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.”
Meaning: Self-confidence opens doors to endless possibilities. - “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”
Meaning: Positive change starts with individual actions. - “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life.”
Meaning: Dedication to a single purpose can lead to remarkable achievements. - “The essence of Vedanta is that there is but one Being and that every soul is that Being in full, not a part of that Being.”
Meaning: We are all expressions of a singular divine essence. - “All the powers in the universe are already ours.”
Meaning: We have within us the potential to harness the universe’s infinite energies. - “Arise, awake, and do not stop until the goal is reached.”
Meaning: Persistence is the key to achieving our dreams. - “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think.”
Meaning: Our thoughts shape our reality and who we become. - “Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison.”
Meaning: Embrace only what strengthens you in all dimensions of your being. - “The very reason for nature’s existence is for the education of the soul.”
Meaning: Nature teaches us profound lessons about life and our place within it. - “Truth does not pay homage to any society, ancient or modern. Society has to pay homage to Truth.”
Meaning: Truth is eternal and unchanging, regardless of societal norms. - “They alone live, who live for others.”
Meaning: True living involves selflessness and service to humanity. - “Strength is the sign of vigour, the sign of life, the sign of hope, the sign of health.”
Meaning: True strength encompasses more than physical power; it’s a sign of a vibrant life. - “The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.”
Meaning: The things that benefit us can also harm us if not approached with wisdom. - “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.”
Meaning: True education draws out the innate excellence within each individual. - “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so.”
Meaning: Offer help instead of judgment wherever possible. - “All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind because oneness is the secret of everything.”
Meaning: Fundamental unity underlies apparent differences. - “The more we grow in love and virtue and holiness, the more we see love and virtue and holiness outside.”
Meaning: Inner growth is reflected in our perception of the world. - “Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal.”
Meaning: The journey of life is to realize and express our divine nature. - “It is the cheerful mind that perseveres and the strong mind that hews its way through a thousand difficulties.”
Meaning: A positive and resilient mindset can overcome any obstacle.
- “Do not believe that you are weak; do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do nowadays.”
Meaning: Reject self-doubt and affirm your inherent strength and sanity. - “The greatest truths are the simplest; so are the greatest men.”
Meaning: Simplicity marks both profound truths and great individuals. - “A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring youth is the only foundation on which the future nation can be built.”
Meaning: The future depends on the character and aspirations of its youth. - “Desire, ignorance, and inequality—this is the trinity of bondage.”
Meaning: Liberation lies in overcoming desire, ignorance, and inequality. - “Do one thing at a time, and while doing it put your whole soul into it to the exclusion of all else.”
Meaning: Total focus and dedication to the task at hand lead to exceptional results. - “The power of concentration is the only key to the treasure-house of knowledge.”
Meaning: Focusing your mind unlocks the vast wealth of learning and insight. - “Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny.”
Meaning: Embrace courage and personal responsibility to shape your future. - “Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can to build your hope on none.”
Meaning: Act independently and without waiting for external support or approval. - “Feel like Christ and you will be a Christ; feel like Buddha and you will be a Buddha.”
Meaning: Your inner convictions and feelings can elevate you to greatness.
- “In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are travelling in the wrong path.”
Meaning: Facing difficulties is a sign of progress and engagement with meaningful challenges. - “The cheerful mind perseveres and the strong mind hews its way through a thousand difficulties.”
Meaning: Positivity and mental strength are keys to overcoming obstacles. - “The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful.”
Meaning: Selflessness leads to the deepest form of success and fulfilment. - “Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.”
Meaning: The divine is present within us and all around us; we just need to recognize it. - “Books are infinite in number and time is short. The secret of knowledge is to take what is essential. Take that and try to live up to it.”
Meaning: Focus on what truly matters and strive to embody that knowledge in your life.
Motivational Thoughts by Swami Vivekananda
- “The universe is the externalization of the soul.”
Meaning: Our inner state is reflected in the external world; the universe mirrors the soul. - “Each work has to pass through these stages—ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.”
Meaning: Visionary ideas are often initially met with resistance before gaining acceptance. - “Meditation can turn fools into sages but unfortunately fools never meditate.”
Meaning: The transformative power of meditation is often overlooked by those who need it most.
- “Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead; if you lose, you can guide!”
Meaning: Life requires boldness. Success or failure, each outcome offers its own form of leadership. - “It is better to wear out than to rust out.”
Meaning: Active engagement in life is preferable to passive decay. - “The very best thing for you is to think out the whole matter for yourselves. Just as you would take up any other scientific subject.”
Meaning: Encourages personal inquiry and critical thinking as the best approach to understanding. - “Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith, faith in God – this is the secret of greatness.”
Meaning: Emphasizes the importance of self-belief and faith in a higher power as foundations for achieving greatness. - “Everything in life is temporary. So if things are going well, enjoy it because it won’t last forever. And if things are going bad, don’t worry. It can’t last forever either.”
Meaning: Life is a cycle of ups and downs. Embrace the good times and be resilient during the bad ones. - “The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.”
Meaning: Life’s challenges are opportunities to strengthen our character and abilities. - “In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
Meaning: Trusting your intuition can lead to the most fulfilling outcomes. - “Do not believe that you are weak; stand up and express the divinity within you.”
Meaning: Reject self-doubt and embrace the divine strength that lies within. - “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.”
Meaning: Our thoughts shape our reality, highlighting the power of positive thinking.
- “The very essence of education is the concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts.”
Meaning: True learning comes from focused thought, not merely accumulating information. - “If money helps a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better.”
Meaning: Wealth is only valuable when used for the benefit of others. - “Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear’.”
Meaning: Face life with courage, and let go of fear to become your own hero. - “The great secret of true success is for a man to be ready at the moment and to take advantage of that moment when it comes.”
Meaning: Success comes to those who seize opportunities with readiness and eagerness. - “Strength is life, weakness is death. Expansion is life, contraction is death. Love is life, hatred is death.”
Meaning: Emphasizes the importance of strength, growth, and love as vital forces of life. - “We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.”
Meaning: Personal responsibility and self-power are key to shaping our destiny. - “To be good and to do good, that is the whole of religion.”
Meaning: The essence of spiritual life lies in goodness and service to others. - “All power is within you. You can do anything and everything.”
Meaning: Reminds us of our innate strength and potential to achieve greatness. - “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Meaning: Encourages relentless pursuit of our goals and dreams.
- “The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified.”
Meaning: Acts of service not only benefit others but also cleanse and uplift our own hearts. - “He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying. Therefore love for love’s sake, because it is the only law of life, just as you breathe to live.”
Meaning: Advocates for unconditional love as the fundamental principle of life. - “It is better to be in a race with yourself than to be in competition with others.”
Meaning: Encourages self-improvement and personal growth over comparing oneself to others. - “Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can to build your hope on none.”
Meaning: Urges us to take initiative and rely on our own efforts rather than waiting for external support. - “Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.”
Meaning: Highlights the diverse perspectives and expressions of truth. - “What we think, we become. A man’s thoughts are the making of him.”
Meaning: Emphasizes the shaping power of our thoughts on our identity and destiny. - “Let us not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless when facing them.”
Meaning: Encourages bravery in the face of adversity, rather than seeking safety and comfort. - “The greatest truths are the simplest, and so are the greatest men.”
Meaning: Simplicity is at the heart of profound truths and the character of truly great individuals.
- “The very reason for fear is the absence of love. The moment love comes, fear disappears.”
Meaning: Love dispels fear by filling us with warmth and courage. - “A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring youth is the only foundation on which the future nation can be built.”
Meaning: The youth’s integrity and aspirations shape a nation’s future. - “Do not believe that you are weak; know that you are strong and live that strength out.”
Meaning: Acknowledge your inner strength and manifest it in your actions. - “The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one.”
Meaning: Living fearlessly and independently empowers you to shape your destiny. - “The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
Meaning: Authenticity and self-belief are foundational to a meaningful life. - “If the mind is intensely eager, everything can be accomplished—mountains can be crumbled into atoms.”
Meaning: A passionate and focused mind can achieve the seemingly impossible. - “Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny.”
Meaning: Embrace responsibility for your life, recognizing your power to shape your future. - “Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can to build your hope on none.”
Meaning: Act proactively and rely on your own efforts rather than external circumstances or validation. - “He who struggles is better than he who never attempts.”
Meaning: The effort and struggle signify courage and the pursuit of growth, regardless of the outcome.
- “In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are travelling in the wrong path.”
Meaning: Challenges are indicators of progress and engagement with meaningful goals. - “The cheerful mind perseveres and the strong mind hews its way through a thousand difficulties.”
Meaning: Positivity and mental strength are key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. - “The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful.”
Meaning: True success and happiness lie in selflessness and giving without expecting anything in return. - “Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.”
Meaning: Recognizing the divine within ourselves and others connects us to the spiritual essence of life. - “Books are infinite in number and time is short. The secret of knowledge is to take what is essential. Take that and try to live up to it.”
Meaning: Focus on essential knowledge and strive to apply it meaningfully in your life. - “The universe is the externalization of the soul.”
Meaning: The world around us reflects the condition and nature of our inner selves. - “Each work has to pass through these stages—ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.”
Meaning: Innovative ideas often face initial resistance before they are eventually embraced.
Conclusion
So friends these were some latest thoughts by Swami Vivekananda. We are adding new thoughts regularly to this blog. It would be best if you kept visiting the blog to find all the popular thoughts given by Swami Vivekananda. You can also comment below and let us know which thoughts are helpful and liked by you.