--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Truly enlightened people never seek to be…" description: "\"Truly enlightened people never seek to be like others. Rather, they seek to be superior to their former selves.\" — Robin Sharma" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/robin-sharma-453_enlightened_truly-enlightened-people-never-seek-to-b_2527593.jpg" --- # Truly enlightened people never seek to be like others… ![“Truly enlightened people never seek to be like others. Rather, they seek to be superior to their former selves.” quote by Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/robin-sharma-453_enlightened_truly-enlightened-people-never-seek-to-b_2527593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/robin-sharma-453_enlightened_truly-enlightened-people-never-seek-to-b_2527593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/robin-sharma-453_enlightened_truly-enlightened-people-never-seek-to-b_2527593.jpg) > “Truly enlightened people never seek to be like others. Rather, they seek to be superior to their former selves.” [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True enlightenment is about self‑improvement, not imitation. **In simple terms:** Improve yourself, not copy others. Key Takeaway Focus on personal growth. Themes self‑improvement authenticity excellence Mood motivational inspirational Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - fitness goals - skill learning Key Concepts mindset self‑comparison growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What personal metric defines your progress? - How do you celebrate self‑improvement? A Different Perspective Comparing to others can still be motivating for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) [Enlightened People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened-people-278938/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Selves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selves/) [Superior Selves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-selves-1313011/) [Superiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superiors/) [Truly Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truly-enlightened-455706/) ## Related quotes > [The most satisfied and enlightened people realize that successful and dynamic living starts from within. Before you can care for others, you must care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-most-satisfied-and-enlightened-people-realize-that-successful-and/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Those who are truly enlightened, are those whose souls are illuminated by love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-are-truly-enlightened-are-those-whose-souls-are-illuminated/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He who has realized the Self is truly enlightened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiva-negi/he-who-has-realized-the-self-is-truly-enlightened/) [Shiva Negi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiva-negi/) > [O Lord, please fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and nudge me when I've said enough. Enlightenment is the "quiet acceptance of what is"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/o-lord-please-fill-my-mouth-with-worthwhile-stuff-and-nudge-me-when-i/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Even enlightened people think of themselves as beginners. They probably think of themselves as beginners more than others do - perpetual beginners who begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/even-enlightened-people-think-of-themselves-as-beginners-they/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We were enlightened people and we fell for this; why wouldn't Muslims fall for this?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfons-heck/we-were-enlightened-people-and-we-fell-for-this-why-wouldn-t-muslims/) [Alfons Heck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfons-heck/) > [There are, strictly speaking, no enlightened people, there is only enlightened activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/there-are-strictly-speaking-no-enlightened-people-there-is-only/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Celibacy doesn't make you enlightened, otherwise every nun or priest in Buddhism or Christianity would be enlightened. People who don't date and can't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/celibacy-doesn-t-make-you-enlightened-otherwise-every-nun-or-priest/) [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/) > [Strictly speaking, there are no enlightened people, there is only enlightened activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/strictly-speaking-there-are-no-enlightened-people-there-is-only/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [I'm focused on the next generation, because I think it's very hard to break the habit of adults who've got salt and sugar addictions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-waters/i-m-focused-on-the-next-generation-because-i-think-it-s-very-hard-to/) [Alice Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-waters/) > [A free, virtuous, and enlightened people must know full well the great principles and causes upon which their happiness depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/a-free-virtuous-and-enlightened-people-must-know-full-well-the-great/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-are-more-thoroughly-an-enlightened-people-with-respect-to-our/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Enlightened people like Osho are ahead of their times. It is good that more and more young people are now reading his works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-r-narayanan/enlightened-people-like-osho-are-ahead-of-their-times-it-is-good-that/) [K. R. Narayanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-r-narayanan/) > [Enlightened people seldom or never possess a sense of responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/enlightened-people-seldom-or-never-possess-a-sense-of-responsibility/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## More by Robin Sharma > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [The moment you conquer one fear is the minute you conquer many fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-moment-you-conquer-one-fear-is-the-minute-you-conquer-many-fears/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [You'll know you're amazing when you get devoted to making other people amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-ll-know-you-re-amazing-when-you-get-devoted-to-making-other/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Just because you couldn't do it yesterday doesn't mean you can't do it today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/just-because-you-couldn-t-do-it-yesterday-doesn-t-mean-you-can-t-do/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I promise you this: at the end of your days, you will discover that the things you now perceive to be the big things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/i-promise-you-this-at-the-end-of-your-days-you-will-discover-that-the/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Doing great things for others is an awesome gift to give yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/doing-great-things-for-others-is-an-awesome-gift-to-give-yourself/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [What you resist will persist; what you befriend, you will transcend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/what-you-resist-will-persist-what-you-befriend-you-will-transcend/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [The ordinary focus on what they're getting. The extraordinary think about who they're becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-ordinary-focus-on-what-they-re-getting-the-extraordinary-think/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [“As you live your day so you craft your life. Just take care of your days and a great life will take care of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/as-you-live-your-day-so-you-craft-your-life-just-take-care-of-your/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Discipline is built by consistently performing small acts of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/discipline-is-built-by-consistently-performing-small-acts-of-courage/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Understand that a problem is only a problem if you choose to view it as a problem (vs. an opportunity).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/understand-that-a-problem-is-only-a-problem-if-you-choose-to-view-it/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Being scared is part of being alive. Accept it. Walk through it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/being-scared-is-part-of-being-alive-accept-it-walk-through-it/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [To achieve the impossible, you need to first develop the mindset that it's probable. Please don't allow the current limits of your life define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/to-achieve-the-impossible-you-need-to-first-develop-the-mindset-that/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [First of all, begin to live out of the glory of your imagination, not your memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/first-of-all-begin-to-live-out-of-the-glory-of-your-imagination-not/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [The project you are most resisting carries your greatest growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-project-you-are-most-resisting-carries-your-greatest-growth/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) [Explore all 543 Robin Sharma quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) ## More Enlightened quotes > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [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/) > [Now the stage today is to know that Self Realization gives you experiences and then your faith is established. Not blind but open enlightened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/now-the-stage-today-is-to-know-that-self-realization-gives-you/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [ “Through the grace of a thief, one can become a thief and through the grace of a Gnani \[the enlightened one\], one can become… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/through-the-grace-of-a-thief-one-can-become-a-thief-and-through-the/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Our attitude towards evil must be freed from hatred, and has itself need to be enlightened in character...Satan rejoices when he succeeds in inspiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-berdyaev/our-attitude-towards-evil-must-be-freed-from-hatred-and-has-itself/) [Nikolai Berdyaev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-berdyaev/) > [I think enlightenment is something that you decide to do after you have met someone who is enlightened. Something touches your heart, your being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-enlightenment-is-something-that-you-decide-to-do-after-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“The more that the human mind is enlightened, the more desirous it becomes of farther acquisitions in knowledge. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-stewart/the-more-that-the-human-mind-is-enlightened-the-more-desirous-it/) [Alexander Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-stewart/) > [The enlightened attention rejects nothing nor welcomes anything-like a mirror it responds equally to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-enlightened-attention-rejects-nothing-nor-welcomes-anything-like/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [So too, monks, I saw the ancient path, the ancient road traveled by the Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past. And what is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/so-too-monks-i-saw-the-ancient-path-the-ancient-road-traveled-by-the/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [We do not have to be ashamed of what we are. As sentient beings we have wonderful backgrounds. These backgrounds may not be particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-do-not-have-to-be-ashamed-of-what-we-are-as-sentient-beings-we/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [For I did not know that the soul needs to be enlightened by light from outside itself, so that it can participate in truth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/for-i-did-not-know-that-the-soul-needs-to-be-enlightened-by-light/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [As a child there was no place for adventure or experimentation. I guess that kind of freedom started in high school with punk rock.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcnairy/as-a-child-there-was-no-place-for-adventure-or-experimentation-i/) [Mark McNairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcnairy/) > [In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their special pleas...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/in-dealing-with-those-who-share-his-bed-the-enlightened-ruler-may/) [Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/) > [“Even when you have been somewhat enlightened by what you have read, you are called upon to continue the serach for significance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-j-adler/even-when-you-have-been-somewhat-enlightened-by-what-you-have-read/) [Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-j-adler/) > [I want to engage people in an honest, enlightened, and provocative conversation about the nature of erotic desire and the intricacies of intimacy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/i-want-to-engage-people-in-an-honest-enlightened-and-provocative/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) [Browse all 1,151 Enlightened quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Truly enlightened people never seek to be like others. 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