--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe all suffering is caused by…" description: "\"I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/anonymous-1_altruism_i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ign_1282501.jpg" --- # I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People… ![“I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/anonymous-1_altruism_i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ign_1282501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/anonymous-1_altruism_i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ign_1282501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/anonymous-1_altruism_i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ign_1282501.jpg) > “I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion and elimination of ignorance, selfishness and greed.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ignorance fuels selfishness, causing suffering; true happiness arises from inner peace, altruism, and compassion. **In simple terms:** Ignorance leads to suffering; love brings peace. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion and reduce selfishness. Themes ethics spirituality psychology Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical self‑help When to use this quote - personal growth - conf work - community service Key Concepts altruism inner peace ignorance Questions to Reflect On - How can we teach compassion effectively? - What practices foster inner peace? A Different Perspective Self‑interest may also stem from survival needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Cultivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cultivation/) [Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Inner peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-peace/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love and compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-compassion/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace And Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-and-contentment/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Satisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfaction/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Selfishness and greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-and-greed/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [True happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-happiness/) ## Related quotes > [I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ignorance-people-inflict-pain-on-2/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama-xiv/i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ignorance-people-inflict-pain-on-3/) [Dalai Lama XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama-xiv/) > [I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-believe-all-suffering-is-caused-by-ignorance/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-suffering-is-caused-by-ignorance-people-inflict-pain-on-others-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [True happiness comes from having a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved by cultivating altruism, love and compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/true-happiness-comes-from-having-a-sense-of-inner-peace-and/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The ruling of men is the effort to direct the individual actions of many persons toward some end. This end theoretically should be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/the-ruling-of-men-is-the-effort-to-direct-the-individual-actions-of/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [“Throughout the 1980's, we did hear too much about individual gain and the ethos of selfishness and greed. We did not hear enough a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/throughout-the-1980-s-we-did-hear-too-much-about-individual-gain-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/realize-that-true-happiness-lies-within-you-waste-no-time-and-effort-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Peace and contentment come from being to totally happy with who you are and what you have, independent of anyone or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/peace-and-contentment-come-from-being-to-totally-happy-with-who-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A lot of mental suffering is caused by unrealistic conclusions we jump to. Use logic and reason to create a conclusion that brings relief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lot-of-mental-suffering-is-caused-by-unrealistic-conclusions-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Suffering is not caused by pain but by resisting pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/suffering-is-not-caused-by-pain-but-by-resisting-pain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forget the suffering You caused others. Forget the suffering Others caused you. The waters run and run, Springs sparkle and are done, You walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forget-the-suffering-you-caused-others-forget-the-suffering-others/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Love is such a complicated and contradictory emotion: pleasure and pain, selfish and selfless, trust and deceit. The very act of falling in love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-kernan/love-is-such-a-complicated-and-contradictory-emotion-pleasure-and/) Sean Kernan > [“I was worried that I was already a failure. At which point my friend said, “What are you trying to win?” What was I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-klein/i-was-worried-that-i-was-already-a-failure-at-which-point-my-friend/) [Jessi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-klein/) > [One of the things psychologists used to say was that if you are depressed, anxious or angry, you couldn't be happy. Those were at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/one-of-the-things-psychologists-used-to-say-was-that-if-you-are/) [Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Altruism quotes > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“...True classical dropouts in society are those who avoid difficult challenges and cling to the first opportunity that comes their way. They never test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/true-classical-dropouts-in-society-are-those-who-avoid-difficult/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Take a stand that reflects the widest horizons of your soul if you don’t want to be a slave to external powers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/take-a-stand-that-reflects-the-widest-horizons-of-your-soul-if-you/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [One of the great issues in biology is the origin of altruism - of why you would do something for someone else that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/one-of-the-great-issues-in-biology-is-the-origin-of-altruism-of-why/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/how-selfish-soever-man-may-be-supposed-there-are-evidently-some/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [Restoration ecology is experimental science, a science of love and altruism. In its attempts to reverse the processes of ecosystem degradation it runs exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-mills/restoration-ecology-is-experimental-science-a-science-of-love-and/) [Stephanie Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-mills/) > [“...of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/of-all-the-nonsense-that-twists-the-world-the-concept-of-altruism-is/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“Only a fool would find happiness from an achievement that is detrimental to those he loves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/only-a-fool-would-find-happiness-from-an-achievement-that-is/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordell-hull/never-insult-an-alligator-until-after-you-have-crossed-the-river/) [Cordell Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordell-hull/) > [“…the purpose of life is to nurture joy, which involves those aspects of humanity that enrich the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-nurture-joy-which-involves-those-aspects-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Whatever they say about it, but being altruistic is not so simple for everyone. Not to look and sound like despotism, altruism must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-biyuts/whatever-they-say-about-it-but-being-altruistic-is-not-so-simple-for/) [Lara Biyuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-biyuts/) > [Effective altruism is the form of altruism in which we bring our rational capacities to bear in order to do the most good that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/effective-altruism-is-the-form-of-altruism-in-which-we-bring-our/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Societies and people that come close to being happy are those that do well in narrowing the disparity between their desires and their needs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/societies-and-people-that-come-close-to-being-happy-are-those-that-do/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Most of the truly kind people of this world show some measure of discomfort when offered kindness. Their gratitude stems not only from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/most-of-the-truly-kind-people-of-this-world-show-some-measure-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) [Browse all 419 Altruism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. 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