Accepting Quote by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
“Pride is a mental factor causing us to feel higher or superior to others. Even our study of dharma can be the occasion for the delusion of pride to arise if we think our understanding is superior to that of everyone else. Pride is harmful because it prevents us from accepting fresh knowledge from a qualified teacher. Just as a pool of water cannot collect on the tip of a mountain, so too a reservoir of understanding cannot be established in a mind falsely elevated by pride.”
About This Quote
Source Text: Modern Buddhist Teachings, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, 1995
Pride inflates self‑importance, blocking openness to new insight and guidance.
In simple terms: Pride blocks learning and humility.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and stay open to teachers.
Themes
humility
learning
ego
spiritual growth
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- spiritual study
- teacher‑student relationships
- personal development
Key Concepts
Buddhist psychology
ego delusion
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pride affect your willingness to learn?
- What practices help you stay humble?
A Different Perspective
Pride can also motivate self‑improvement if acknowledged.
