50 Wisdom Quotes by the great Hindu Monk Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was a famous Indian Hindu monk, who lived from January 12, 1863- July 4, 1902. He was a devout follower and the chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic, Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

Vivekananda played a key role in introducing the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world. He also created interfaith awareness and brought Hinduism to the stature of world religions during the late 19th century.

About Swami Vivekananda:

At a young age, Swami Vivekananda developed an interest in the spiritual way of living. Apart from his spiritual conquests, Vivekananda was a great scholar. He took keen interest in a wide range of subjects including philosophy, religion, history, social science, art and literature.

He was also interested in Hindu scriptures including Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

Greatly impressed by Swami Vivekananda’s persona, Indian Nobel laureate poet, Rabindranath Tagore quoted, “In Vivekananda there was nothing negative, but everything positive”.

Let’s learn from the teaching left behind by the man himself in the form of words. So here are 50 wisdom quotes by the great Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda on Unity and Oneness:

All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.

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.

Swami Vivekananda on Ideas:

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.

When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.

Swami Vivekananda on Truth:

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. Do not believe in words because they are hallowed by tradition. Find out the truth for yourself. Reason it out. That is realization.

Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.

Comfort is no test of truth. Truth is often far from being comfortable.

All truth is eternal. Truth is nobody’s property; no race, no individual can lay any exclusive claim to it. Truth is the nature of all souls.

Swami Vivekananda on Awakening Consciousness:

Everything that is excellent will come when this sleeping soul is aroused to self-conscious activity.

The whole life is a succession of dreams. My ambition is to be a conscious dreamer, that is all.

Swami Vivekananda on Quotes Success:

See for the highest, aim at the highest, and you shall reach the highest.

Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead, if you lose, you can guide.

Swami Vivekananda on Self-Doubt:

Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin; to say that you are weak, or others are weak.

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.

The greatest sin is to think yourself weak.

Swami Vivekananda On Thought:

We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.

We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.

Swami Vivekananda Quotes on Religion:

So long as even a single dog in my country is without food, my whole religion will be to feed it.

Mankind ought to be taught that religions are but the varied expressions of the religion, which is oneness, so that each may choose the path that suits him best.

Swami Vivekananda on Knowledge:

A fool may buy all the books in the world, and they will be in his library; but he will be able to read only those that he deserves to.

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.

 Swami Vivekananda on Service:

So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every person a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them!

Blessed are they whose bodies get destroyed in the service of others.

Swami Vivekananda on Giving:

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.

Swami Vivekananda on Learning:

Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it; do not become others.

Swami Vivekananda on Humanity:

So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every person a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them!

The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified.

Swami Vivekananda on Hard work and Struggle:

He who struggles is better than he who never attempts.

Swami Vivekananda on Self-Love:

Talk to yourself once in a day, otherwise, you may miss meeting an excellent person in this world.

If I love myself despite my infinite faults, how can I hate anyone at the glimpse of a few faults.

Swami Vivekananda on Fear and Existence:

The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.

They alone live, who live for others.

All the negative thoughts and ideas that are in the world have proceeded from this evil spirit of fear.

Swami Vivekananda on Greed:

If money help 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.

Swami Vivekananda on being Judgemental:

The reason for every misunderstanding is that we see the people as we are but not as they are.

Swami Vivekananda on Love:

All love is expansion; all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life. 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.

Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success and above all, love.

Swami Vivekananda on Inner Strength:

All power is within you; you can do anything.

This is a great fact: strength is life; weakness is death. Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery, weakness is death.

The earth is enjoyed by heroes—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, “I have no fear.”

Be not afraid of anything. You will do marvellous work. It is fearlessness that brings heaven even in a moment.

Swami Vivekananda on Character:

Always try to represent yourself happy because initially, it becomes your look. Gradually it becomes
your habit and finally, it becomes your personality.

Who is helping you don’t forget them. Who is loving you, don’t hate them. Who is believing you, don’t cheat them.

Character makes a gentleman.

Swami Vivekananda on Growth:

You have to grow from the inside out.

Anything that makes you weak, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as a poison.

Swami Vivekananda on Dreams:

A man is not poor without a rupee but a man is really poor without a dream and ambition.

Swami Vivekananda on Acceptance:

Neither seek nor avoid, take what comes.

Swami Vivekananda on Self-Awareness:

In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.

The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.

Swami Vivekananda on Self Help:

Never say, “O Lord, I am a miserable sinner.” Who will help you? You are the help of the universe. What in this universe can help you? What can prevail over you? You are the God of the universe; where can you seek for help? Never help came from anywhere but from yourself.

In your ignorance, every prayer that you made and that was answered, you thought was answered by some Being, but you answered the prayer yourself unknowingly.

The help came from yourself, and you fondly imagined that someone was sending help to you. 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? Burst your own cocoon and come out as a beautiful butterfly, as the free soul. Then alone you will see truth.