---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you think the same as everybody else…"
description: "\"“If you think the same as everybody else around you it is fair to say that you are not so much a representative of your culture, but a victim of it. Bu..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg"
---

#  If you think the same as everybody else around you it is…

![“If you think the same as everybody else around you it is fair to say that you are not so much a representative of your culture, but a victim of it. Buddhist Proverb” quote by Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg)

> ““If you think the same as everybody else around you it is fair to say that you are not so much a representative of your culture, but a victim of it. Buddhist Proverb””

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

## About This Quote

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

Conforming to the majority can make you a passive product of cultural norms rather than an active participant.

**In simple terms:** Following the crowd makes you a victim of culture.

Key Takeaway

Question your assumptions.

Themes

conformity culture individualism

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- media consumption
- group decision making
- personal reflection

Key Concepts

social pressure identity formation

Questions to Reflect On

- How does your thinking differ from the majority?
- What cultural assumptions do you accept without question?

A Different Perspective

May overlook unique perspectives and stifle creativity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb/)

## Related quotes

> [If you see in any given situation only what everybody else can see, you can be said to be so much a representative of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/if-you-see-in-any-given-situation-only-what-everybody-else-can-see/)

[S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/)

> [There is a buddhist proverb which I like a lot. It says: "Every body deserves mercy". That means that every body is holy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/there-is-a-buddhist-proverb-which-i-like-a-lot-it-says-every-body/)

[Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/)

> [“Not until you succeed in being really flexible and soft, can you become really strong and forceful. —Zen Buddhist proverb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulrica-norberg/not-until-you-succeed-in-being-really-flexible-and-soft-can-you/)

Ulrica Norberg

> [“May your troubles be as few and as far apart as my grandmother’s teeth. Irish proverb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-thompson/may-your-troubles-be-as-few-and-as-far-apart-as-my-grandmother-s/)

[Janice Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-thompson/)

> [“Yes, the world is an illusion. But Truth is always being shown there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/yes-the-world-is-an-illusion-but-truth-is-always-being-shown-there/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. —Italian proverb I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-healey/a-candle-loses-nothing-by-lighting-another-candle-italian-proverb-i/)

[Jane Healey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-healey/)

> [We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. -Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from-our-ancestors-we-borrow-it-from-our/)

Proverb

> [“An expensive coffin does not decrease the deceased’s chances of going to hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/an-expensive-coffin-does-not-decrease-the-deceased-s-chances-of-going/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [“Who can walk in the shoes of the sacrifice of the Lamb,the Lord Jesus Christ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/who-can-walk-in-the-shoes-of-the-sacrifice-of-the-lamb-the-lord-jesus/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Never build your house on someone else's land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-build-your-house-on-someone-else-s-land/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Pay attention to proverbs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/pay-attention-to-proverbs/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [“For their never-ending endeavours to obtain or retain wealth, countries desperately need companies, because they—unlike most human beings—have the means of production, and human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/for-their-never-ending-endeavours-to-obtain-or-retain-wealth/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [You know there's an old african proverb that i made up: "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/you-know-there-s-an-old-african-proverb-that-i-made-up-if-you-want-to/)

[Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/)

> [What is taken from the fortune, also, may haply be so much lifted from the soul. The greatness of a loss, as the proverb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/what-is-taken-from-the-fortune-also-may-haply-be-so-much-lifted-from/)

[Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/)

> [“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Chinese proverb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-toffler/i-hear-and-i-forget-i-see-and-i-remember-i-do-and-i-understand/)

[Alvin Toffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-toffler/)

## More by Rick Page

> [“On a boat, you must think of every amp and where it comes from.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/on-a-boat-you-must-think-of-every-amp-and-where-it-comes-from/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“Smiles on deck, not miles under the keel!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/smiles-on-deck-not-miles-under-the-keel/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“A good sailboat (and skipper) works with the sea and therefore reaps the benefits of kinship with the world that no amount of money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/a-good-sailboat-and-skipper-works-with-the-sea-and-therefore-reaps/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“Salt water and electricity are a worse combination than rednecks and religion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/salt-water-and-electricity-are-a-worse-combination-than-rednecks-and/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“The second time, we chose The Sea of Cortez in Mexico, which is protected by the Peninsula of Baja California and has spectacularly easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/the-second-time-we-chose-the-sea-of-cortez-in-mexico-which-is/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“when you first embark on your new life as a watery wanderer, it makes more sense to pick an area you like and learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/when-you-first-embark-on-your-new-life-as-a-watery-wanderer-it-makes/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“Being a sea gypsy means going with the seas, winds and currents, not fighting them”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/being-a-sea-gypsy-means-going-with-the-seas-winds-and-currents-not/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“To live on the beautiful blue ocean is a gift to be treasured, not an achievement to be measured.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/to-live-on-the-beautiful-blue-ocean-is-a-gift-to-be-treasured-not-an/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“book (you are SO going to need a copy of this!) The Boat Owner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual. This is the sea gypsy's bible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/book-you-are-so-going-to-need-a-copy-of-this-the-boat-owner-s/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“The sea gypsy approach is more concerned with ‘enjoying something’ - rather than counting miles or joining up imaginary, man-made lines on the planet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/the-sea-gypsy-approach-is-more-concerned-with-enjoying-something/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

> [“It is much easier, cheaper and ultimately more rewarding to adapt to your new life than to try and create a floating version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/it-is-much-easier-cheaper-and-ultimately-more-rewarding-to-adapt-to/)

[Rick Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

[Explore all 12 Rick Page quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/)

## More Buddhism quotes

> [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/)

> [Enlightenment is lightening up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/enlightenment-is-lightening-up/)

[Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/)

> [The very best players, when they are practicing, put everything they've got into it. But then they leave it for a while. And it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/the-very-best-players-when-they-are-practicing-put-everything-they-ve/)

[Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/)

> [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/)

> [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/)

[Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/)

> [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/)

> [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/)

[Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/)

> [My mom and my aunties are really devout Christians. My mom married a Muslim when I was 12, so I got teachings from both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tech-n9ne/my-mom-and-my-aunties-are-really-devout-christians-my-mom-married-a/)

[Tech N9ne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tech-n9ne/)

> [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 extraction of discrete parts of Chöd teachings from their broader philosophical contexts is symptomatic of how Chöd has been incorporated into and transmitted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-sorensen/the-extraction-of-discrete-parts-of-ch-d-teachings-from-their-broader/)

[Michelle Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-sorensen/)

> [Buddhism advises you not to implant feelings that you don’t really have or avoid feelings that you do have. If you are miserable you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/buddhism-advises-you-not-to-implant-feelings-that-you-don-t-really/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“That's all there is, enlightenment on the end of a cock. It doesn't get any more Zen than that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-wilkes/that-s-all-there-is-enlightenment-on-the-end-of-a-cock-it-doesn-t-get/)

[Jaden Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-wilkes/)

> [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/)

[Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/)

[Browse all 6,100 Buddhism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“If you think the same as everybody else around you it is fair to say that you are not so much a representative of your culture, but a victim of it. Buddhist Proverb”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rick Page"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else-around-you-it-is-fair-to-say/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Buddhism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else-around-you-it-is-fair-to-say/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/rick-page-36710_buddhism_if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else_1380317.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you think the same as everybody else around you it is fair to say that you are not so much a…” — Rick Page",
                "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": "Rick Page",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-page/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“If you think the same as...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else-around-you-it-is-fair-to-say/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-page/if-you-think-the-same-as-everybody-else-around-you-it-is-fair-to-say/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
