50 Dalai Lama Quotes for Personal Inspiration and Growth

“I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives. I’m not talking about the short-term gratification of pleasures like sex, drugs or gambling (though I’m not knocking them), but something that will bring true and lasting happiness. The kind that sticks.”
― His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”
― Dalai Lama

“In order to lead a meaningful life, you need to cherish others, pay attention to human values and try to cultivate inner peace.”
― Dalai Lama

“The enemy is the necessary condition for practicing patience.”
― His Holiness The Dalai Lama

“The topic of compassion is not at all religious business; it is important to know it is human business, it is a question of human survival.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“The more honest you are, the more open, the less fear you will have, because there’s no anxiety about being exposed or revealed to others.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“If you can, serve other people, other sentient beings. If not, at least refrain from harming them. I think that is the whole basis of my philosophy.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“Idealistic as it may sound, altruism should be the driving force in business, not just competition and a desire for wealth.”
― Dalai Lama

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. And be kinder than is necessary.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“Violence can only breed more violence and suffering. Our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.” – Dalai Lama

“Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.” – Dalai Lama

“An open heart is an open mind.” – Dalai Lama

“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves” – Dalai Lama

“The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.” – Dalai Lama

“An eye for an eye….we are all blind” – Dalai Lama

“A spoon cannot taste of the food it carries. Likewise, a foolish man cannot understand the wise man´s wisdom even if he associates with a sage.” – Dalai Lama

“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.” ― Dalai Lama

“Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.” ― Dalai Lama

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” ― Dalai Lama

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation.” – The Dalai Lama

“Silence is sometimes the best answer” ― Dalai Lama

“The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.” – Dalai Lama

“In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.” – Dalai Lama

“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” ― Dalai Lama

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” ― Dalai Lama

“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.” ― Dalai Lama

“To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.” – Dalai Lama

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama

“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” ― Dalai Lama

“The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness” – Dalai Lama

“This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.” ― Dalai Lama

“Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” ― Dalai Lama

“It is very rare or almost impossible that an event can be negative from all points of view.” – Dalai Lama

“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” ― Dalai Lama

“The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.” ― Dalai Lama

“If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience, and understanding.” ― Dalai Lama

“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.” ― Dalai Lama

“Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.” ― Dalai Lama

“Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.” – Dalai Lama

“When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.” ― Dalai Lama

37. “Let us try to recognize the precious nature of each day.” – Dalai Lama

“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just a mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.” ― Dalai Lama

“All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction” ― Dalai Lama

“Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.” – Dalai Lama

“The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.” ― Dalai Lama

“The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.” – Dalai Lama