Today is Swami Vivekananda’s birthday and is celebrated as National Youth Day in India. His philosophy and the ideals for which he lived and worked are a great source of inspiration for today’s Youth. One can see that his thoughts and teachings are timeless ; not confined to a particular era. Here are some of his quotes for us to ponder over and take inspiration from.
Take up an idea, devote yourself to it, struggle on in patience, and the sun will rise for you. Blame nobody else, do not commit the mistake of the ignorant.
Talk to yourself at least once in a day. Otherwise, you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.
Everything is easy when you are busy.
But nothing is easy when you are lazy.
Take Risks in Your Life If you Win, You Can Lead!
If you Lose, You Can Guide!
We are what our thoughts have made us;
so take care about what you think.
Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.
Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life.
Do not believe a thing because you have read about it in a book. Do not believe a thing because another man has said it was true. Do not believe in words because they are hallowed by tradition. Find out the truth for yourself. Reason it out. That is realization.
The remedy for weakness is not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength.
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.
Plants always remain small under a big tree.
The brain and muscles must develop simultaneously. Iron nerves with an intelligent brain — and the whole world is at your feet.
Astrology and all these mystical things are generally signs of a weak mind; therefore as soon as they are becoming prominent in our minds, we should see a physician, take good food, and rest.
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.
If you [can realise Brahman] by standing on your head, or on one foot, or by worshipping five thousand gods with three heads each — welcome to it! … Do it any way you can! Nobody has any right to say anything. Therefore, Krishna says, if your method is better and higher, you have no business to say that another man’s method is bad, however wicked you may think it.
EnManadhil 