Table of Contents
180 Short Inspirational Quotes
Finding inspiration may make all the difference in a world that sometimes feels hectic and demanding. The extraordinary ability of short inspirational quotations to boost your mood, offer perspective, and inspire you is something that cannot be understated. Swami Vivekananda’s lectures and speeches are a gold mine of knowledge that he, a respected Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher, left behind. Through time and geographical bounds, his words have continued to inspire and instruct people all around the world. From all of Swami Vivekananda’s inspirational sayings, we’ve chosen 180 short inspirational quotes for you to read here. These 180 short inspirational quotes can lift your spirits whether you’re looking for a fast boost of inspiration or a motto to live by.
Quotes on Self-Discovery and Growth
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“The goal of mankind is knowledge. Now this knowledge is inherent in man.”
“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”
“The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.”
“Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
“Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison.”
“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.”
“The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.”
“The greatest talkers are the least doers.”
“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.”
“The only way to come out of bondage is to go beyond the limitations of law, to go beyond causation.”
“Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success and, above all, love.”
“The moment I die, renounce all attachment to everything, and love and serve all.”
“The soul is neither born, and, therefore, has no death.”
“They alone live who live for others. The rest are more dead than alive.”
“Education is not filling the mind with a lot of facts. Perfecting the instrument, the soul, to express its powers.”
“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.”
“Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?”
Quotes on Fearlessness and Courage
“Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear.'”
“Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is achieved.”
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”
“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
“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.”
“Strength is life, weakness is death.”
“The greatest sin is to think that you are weak.”
“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.”
“The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.”
“Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.”
“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
“Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead; if you lose, you can guide.”
“In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
“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.”
“The moment I die, renounce all attachment to everything, and love and serve all.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
“In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are traveling in a wrong path.”
“They alone live who live for others. The rest are more dead than alive.”
Quotes on Education and Learning
“Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.”
“The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.”
“Learning and wisdom are superfluities, the surface glitter merely, but it is the heart that is the seat of all power.”
“Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life.”
“The aim of education is not knowledge but action.”
“Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can. Build your hope on none.”
“We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s feet.”
“Tell the child that these two birds are the two most important birds in the world. The one which has its nest in the tree is you, the other on the top of the tree is God. The soul of the tree is God and the body of the tree is you.”
“We must have life-building, man-making, character-making assimilation of ideas.”
“All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind.”
“It is our mental attitude which makes the world what it is for us. Our thoughts make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly.”
“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 the student’s eyes and hear through his ears and understand through his mind.”
“The idea of perfect womanhood is perfect independence.”
“Books are infinite in number, and time is short; therefore, the secret of knowledge is to take what is essential.”
“It is the theory which decides what can be observed.”
“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.”
“Do not hate anybody, because that hatred which comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you, if you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.”
“When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not – then, say the wise, is reached the highest state. This steady control of the senses and mind has been defined as yoga.”
“All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.”
Quotes on Religion and Spirituality
“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
“Religion is not in books, nor in theories, nor in dogmas, nor in talking, not even in reasoning. It is being and becoming.”
“Religion is the manifestation of the Divinity already in man.”
“God is to be worshipped as the one beloved, dearer than everything in this and next life.”
“Each soul is potentially divine.”
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”
“In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.”
“The soul is neither born, and, therefore, has no death.”
“The goal of mankind is knowledge.”
“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.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.”
“The world is a grand moral gymnasium wherein we have all to take exercise so that we may become stronger and stronger spiritually.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.”
“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.”
“The earth is enjoyed by heroes – this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear.'”
“As different streams having different sources all mingle their waters in the sea, so different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to God.”
“Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
“All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.”
“All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole.”
Quotes on Strength and Resilience
“Strength is life, weakness is death.”
“The greatest sin is to think that you are weak.”
“Stand up, be bold, and take the blame on your own shoulders. Do not go about throwing mud at other; for all the faults you suffer from, you are the sole and only cause.”
“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 the student’s eyes and hear through his ears and understand through his mind.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear.'”
“The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.”
“In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are traveling in a wrong path.”
“Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can. Build your hope on none.”
“The moment I die, renounce all attachment to everything, and love and serve all.”
“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.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.”
“The greatest talkers are the least doers.”
“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
“Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead; if you lose, you can guide.”
“Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison.”
“Persevere on the right path, and all danger and obstacles will gradually disappear.”
“The greater the struggle, the greater the progress.”
“All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
Quotes on Service and Compassion
“The greatest service to mankind is to impart education and spread knowledge.”
“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.”
“They alone live who live for others. The rest are more dead than alive.”
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can. Build your hope on none.”
“Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?”
“Each soul is potentially divine.”
“The moment I die, renounce all attachment to everything, and love and serve all.”
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.”
“They alone are truly great who have a great heart.”
“Do not hate anybody, because that hatred which comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you, if you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.”
“The world is a grand moral gymnasium wherein we have all to take exercise so that we may become stronger and stronger spiritually.”
“If I love myself despite my infinite faults, how can I hate anyone at the glimpse of a few faults?”
“In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.”
“If the poor cannot come to education, education must reach them at the plough, in the factory, everywhere.”
“Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
“Religion is not in books, nor in theories, nor in dogmas, nor in talking, not even in reasoning. It is being and becoming.”
“Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.”
“All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.”
Quotes on Purpose and Vision
“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.”
“The goal of mankind is knowledge.”
“Each soul is potentially divine.”
“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
“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.”
“Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life.”
“Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.”
“The moment I die, renounce all attachment to everything, and love and serve all.”
“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
“Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can. Build your hope on none.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
“All the success in life is making yourself.”
“In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.”
“Do not hate anybody, because that hatred which comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you, if you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.”
“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.”
“Whatever you think, that you will be. If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong, strong you will be.”
“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 the student’s eyes and hear through his ears and understand through his mind.”
“The world is a grand moral gymnasium wherein we have all to take exercise so that we may become stronger and stronger spiritually.”
“Believe in yourself and all power is yours.”
Quotes on Harmony and Unity
“In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
“The earth is enjoyed by heroes – this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, ‘I have no fear.'”
“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.”
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”
“All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.”
“Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?”
“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.”
“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
“They alone are truly great who have a great heart.”
“They alone live who live for others. The rest are more dead than alive.”
“Religion is not in books, nor in theories, nor in dogmas, nor in talking, not even in reasoning. It is being and becoming.”
“Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
“Do not hate anybody, because that hatred which comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you, if you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.”
“In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.”
“The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.”
“As different streams having different sources all mingle their waters in the sea, so different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to God.”
“Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can. Build your hope on none.”
“Each soul is potentially divine.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“Believe in yourself and all power is yours.”
Quotes on Character and Virtues
“Character is repeated habits, and repeated habits alone can reform character.”
“A few heart-whole, sincere, and energetic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century.”
“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.”
“All the success in life is making yourself.”
“Learning and wisdom are superfluities, the surface glitter merely, but it is the heart that is the seat of all power.”
“Do not hate anybody, because that hatred which comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you, if you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.”
“Each soul is potentially divine.”
“Persevere on the right path, and all danger and obstacles will gradually disappear.”
“Character is higher than intellect.”
“Strength is life, weakness is death.”
“If the poor cannot come to education, education must reach them at the plough, in the factory, everywhere.”
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”
“All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.”
“Do not wait for anybody or anything. Do whatever you can. Build your hope on none.”
“Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.”
“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.”
“Talk to yourself at least once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”
“The greater the struggle, the greater the progress.”
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“Religion is not in books, nor in theories, nor in dogmas, nor in talking, not even in reasoning. It is being and becoming.”
Conclusion [180 Short Inspirational Quotes of Swami Vivekananda]
The teachings of Swami Vivekananda continue to resonate with those who aspire to live lives guided by compassion, bravery, and knowledge. These 180 short inspirational quotes serve as gentle reminders that everyone of us have the capacity to change both our own lives and the world.
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