Suppose a man threw into the sea a yoke with one hole in…
““Suppose a man threw into the sea a yoke with one hole in it, and the east wind carried it to the west, and the west wind carried it to the east, and the north wind carried it to the south, and the south wind carried it to the north. Suppose there were a blind turtle that came up once at the end of each century. What do you think, bhikkhus? Would that blind turtle put his neck into that yoke with one hole in it?" "He might, venerable sir, sometime or other at the end of a long period." "Bhikkhus, the blind turtle would sooner put his neck into that yoke with a single hole in it than a fool, once gone to perdition, would take to regain the human state, I say. Why is that? Because there is no practising of the Dhamma there, no practising of what is righteous, no doing of what is wholesome, no performance of merit. There mutual devouring prevails, and the slaughter of the weak.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A blind turtle would more likely accept a useless yoke than a fool seeks redemption after moral decay, highlighting the rarity of genuine spiritual effort.
In simple terms: Few seek true change; most remain stuck in harmful habits.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the rarity of sincere effort and cultivate it.
Themes
spirituality
morality
effort
redemption
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
didactic
When to use this quote
- monastic life
- personal transformation
- ethical decision making
- community guidance
Key Concepts
Dhamma practice
merit
ethical conduct
Questions to Reflect On
- What prevents sincere practice?
- How can we foster genuine effort?
A Different Perspective
Even a blind turtle may act, but most people lack the will to pursue righteousness.