---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only listen to the observations of the…"
description: "\"Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because everyone else is self-centered, egocentric and bound by the net of desire.\" — Frederick Lenz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg"
---

#  Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because…

![“Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because everyone else is self-centered, egocentric and bound by the net of desire.” quote by Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg)

> “Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because everyone else is self-centered, egocentric and bound by the net of desire.”

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True insight comes from those who have transcended ego, not from self‑absorbed perspectives.

**In simple terms:** Learn from enlightened, not egoistic sources.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize teachings of self‑less wisdom.

Themes

spirituality ego enlightenment

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

spiritual philosophical

When to use this quote

- meditation retreats
- spiritual study groups
- personal growth workshops

Key Concepts

mysticism philosophy mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

- Who do you consider a genuinely enlightened guide?
- How do you discern ego‑driven advice?

A Different Perspective

Finding truly enlightened voices can be rare.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bounds/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) [Enlightened self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened-self/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self centered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-centered/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/)

## Related quotes

> [In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/in-nvc-no-matter-what-words-others-may-use-to-express-themselves-we/)

[Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/)

> [The new world economic order is not an exercise in philanthropy, but in enlightened self-interest for everyone concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-fuentes/the-new-world-economic-order-is-not-an-exercise-in-philanthropy-but/)

[Carlos Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-fuentes/)

> [“If I’m conceited enough to believe I’m invincible, then maybe it will take me doing the very thing I swore I would never do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-i-m-conceited-enough-to-believe-i-m-invincible-then-maybe-it-will/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [“If I can’t quite figure out what an ego is, all I have to do is look for the thing that’s killing itself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-i-can-t-quite-figure-out-what-an-ego-is-all-i-have-to-do-is-look/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [I met a new girl at a barbecue, very pretty, a blond I think. I don't know, her hair was on fire, and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-shandling/i-met-a-new-girl-at-a-barbecue-very-pretty-a-blond-i-think-i-don-t/)

[Garry Shandling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-shandling/)

> [I do my job, and I do what I’m paid to do and I’m always prepared. I prepare by learning the text so well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-do-my-job-and-i-do-what-i-m-paid-to-do-and-i-m-always-prepared-i/)

[Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/)

> [“You can dress up greed, but you can’t stop the stench.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/you-can-dress-up-greed-but-you-can-t-stop-the-stench/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [There's nothing that makes you more miserable (or less interesting) than self-absorption .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/there-s-nothing-that-makes-you-more-miserable-or-less-interesting/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [The more you make this world about you, the more miserable you will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/the-more-you-make-this-world-about-you-the-more-miserable-you-will-be/)

[Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/)

> [“Simply put, self-centered and egocentric people don't inspire others. We are inspired by people who place others-- other people, other ideas, other goals-- above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/del-suggs/simply-put-self-centered-and-egocentric-people-don-t-inspire-others/)

[Del Suggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/del-suggs/)

> [“I am selfish by habit, but sacrificial by nature. Therefore, I’d be wise to develop the habit of following my nature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/i-am-selfish-by-habit-but-sacrificial-by-nature-therefore-i-d-be-wise/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [“If it’s about me, I can be assured that there will be a bunch of empty chairs in the auditorium of my life; save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-it-s-about-me-i-can-be-assured-that-there-will-be-a-bunch-of-empty/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [“I pretend to give gifts that people pretend to be gifts so that I can pretend that I gave something that actually cost me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/i-pretend-to-give-gifts-that-people-pretend-to-be-gifts-so-that-i-can/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [“Living for myself ends at myself, and that is very small place to end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/living-for-myself-ends-at-myself-and-that-is-very-small-place-to-end/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [“The best I can do is to ‘pretend’ that I’m my own god. But in the pretending I have to pretend that I’m not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-best-i-can-do-is-to-pretend-that-i-m-my-own-god-but-in-the/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

## More by Frederick Lenz

> [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [You can draw power from everything in your life. In order to do that, everything has to be set up in a proper way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-draw-power-from-everything-in-your-life-in-order-to-do-that/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [I think the most miraculous thing is learning. I get out of the way and let the students learn. Then you get to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-the-most-miraculous-thing-is-learning-i-get-out-of-the-way/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [A human being can only absorb a small amount of the mystical kundalini, you can be exposed again and again to it, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-human-being-can-only-absorb-a-small-amount-of-the-mystical/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [The sound man, immune as to a sacrifice of straw dogs, faces the passing human generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-sound-man-immune-as-to-a-sacrifice-of-straw-dogs-faces-the/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Karma means changing planes of reality or changing fields of attention. There will be perhaps a resulting physical action stemming from the change of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/karma-means-changing-planes-of-reality-or-changing-fields-of/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [You and I are both life. There's just the experience of every moment. We like to call them moments. There isn't really such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-and-i-are-both-life-there-s-just-the-experience-of-every-moment/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Why waste your time being around people who drag you down? You don't live forever, at least in this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/why-waste-your-time-being-around-people-who-drag-you-down-you-don-t/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Everybody here is so caught up in the game of life they don't see death. They don't see beyond their deaths. They are on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everybody-here-is-so-caught-up-in-the-game-of-life-they-don-t-see/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

[Explore all 4,399 Frederick Lenz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

## More Bounds quotes

> [Man will not always stay on Earth; the pursuit of light and space will lead him to penetrate the bounds of the atmosphere, timidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/man-will-not-always-stay-on-earth-the-pursuit-of-light-and-space-will/)

[Konstantin Tsiolkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/)

> [Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/)

[Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/)

> [If the civil magistrate be a Christian, a disciple or follower of the meek Lamb of God, he is bound to be far from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-williams/if-the-civil-magistrate-be-a-christian-a-disciple-or-follower-of-the/)

[Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-williams/)

> [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/)

[Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/)

> [The World's a Printing-House, our words, our thoughts, Our deeds, are characters of several sizes. Each soul is a Compos'tor, of whose faults The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-world-s-a-printing-house-our-words-our-thoughts-our-deeds-are/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [Christian obligation cannot be made to accord with a law of expediency. The Christian's maxims are, Do right because you are bound to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-landey-patton/christian-obligation-cannot-be-made-to-accord-with-a-law-of/)

Francis Landey Patton

> [Such as the chain of causes we call Fate, such is the chain of wishes: one links on to another; the whole man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/such-as-the-chain-of-causes-we-call-fate-such-is-the-chain-of-wishes/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> ['You spin in the sky, the world spins under you, and you step from land to land, while we . . .' She turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/you-spin-in-the-sky-the-world-spins-under-you-and-you-step-from-land/)

[Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/)

> ['Facts' are the bounds of human knowledge, set for it, not by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/facts-are-the-bounds-of-human-knowledge-set-for-it-not-by-it/)

[William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/)

> [An order given in battle, an instruction issued by the master of a sailing ship, a cry for help, are as powerful in modifying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bronislaw-malinowski/an-order-given-in-battle-an-instruction-issued-by-the-master-of-a/)

[Bronislaw Malinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bronislaw-malinowski/)

> [It is only when our life proceeds within bounds and in an accepted, disciplined way, that the mind can be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinoba-bhave/it-is-only-when-our-life-proceeds-within-bounds-and-in-an-accepted/)

[Vinoba Bhave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinoba-bhave/)

> [Yes, thou art ever present, power divine; not circumscribed by time, nor fixed by space, confined to altars, nor to temples bound. In wealth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/yes-thou-art-ever-present-power-divine-not-circumscribed-by-time-nor/)

[Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/)

> [I have visited sweatshops, factories, and crowded slums. If I could not see it, I could smell it. The foundation of society is laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-have-visited-sweatshops-factories-and-crowded-slums-if-i-could-not/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [Once we are bound together to our brothers by a common good that is outside us, then we can breathe. Experience teaches us that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/once-we-are-bound-together-to-our-brothers-by-a-common-good-that-is/)

[Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/)

> [I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science…It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/i-am-quite-conscious-that-my-speculations-run-beyond-the-bounds-of/)

[Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/)

[Browse all 1,649 Bounds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bounds/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because everyone else is self-centered, egocentric and bound by the net of desire.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Frederick Lenz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-enlightened-because-everyone/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bounds"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-enlightened-because-everyone/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ca/frederick-lenz-8_bounds_only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-e_794503.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because everyone else is self-centered, egocentric and…” — Frederick Lenz",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Frederick Lenz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Only listen to the observations of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-enlightened-because-everyone/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-enlightened-because-everyone/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
