in this way, seek wrongly, and the further they range, the…
““in this way, seek wrongly, and the further they range, the less they find what they are looking for. They proceed like someone who has lost their way: the further they go, the more lost they become. But what then should they do? First of all, they should renounce themselves, and then they will have renounced all things. Truly, if someone were to renounce a kingdom or the whole world while still holding onto themselves, then they would have renounced nothing at all. And indeed, if someone renounces themselves, then whatever they might keep, whether the kingdom or honour or whatever it may be, they will still have renounced all things.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True freedom comes from renouncing the self, which in turn frees one from all attachments.
In simple terms: Letting go of self frees you.
Key Takeaway
Practice self‑renunciation.
Themes
spirituality
detachment
freedom
Mood
contemplative
calm
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- meditation
- monastic life
- personal crisis
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
non‑attachment
ego dissolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What does self‑renunciation mean to you?
- How can you balance self‑care and self‑renunciation?
A Different Perspective
Renunciation can be misinterpreted as nihilism.