--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being human is a precious situation, and…" description: "\"Being human is a precious situation, and we shouldn't waste time in useless activities.\" — Sakyong Mipham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg" --- # Being human is a precious situation, and we shouldn't… ![“Being human is a precious situation, and we shouldn't waste time in useless activities.” quote by Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg) > “Being human is a precious situation, and we shouldn't waste time in useless activities.” [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human existence is valuable, and we should avoid spending time on meaningless activities. **In simple terms:** Life is precious; avoid useless activities. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaningful pursuits. Themes purpose mindfulness value Mood inspirational calm Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - community service - creative work Key Concepts spirituality time management fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What activities feel meaningless to you? - How can you transform idle time into purpose? A Different Perspective Defining “useless” can be subjective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Being human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-human/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human Precious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-precious-2056094/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Precious Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-situation-4350447/) [Shouldn Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shouldn-waste-2372507/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Useless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useless/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Waste time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste-time/) [Wasting time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasting-time/) ## Related quotes > [“Gildong replied in a humble manner. “Of all things created by Heaven, a human being is the most precious. So it is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heo-gyun/gildong-replied-in-a-humble-manner-of-all-things-created-by-heaven-a/) [Heo Gyun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heo-gyun/) > [You shouldn't waste your feelings on people who don't value them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-shouldn-t-waste-your-feelings-on-people-who-don-t-value-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Things don't last forever, so I shouldn't waste a single minute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-morrill/things-don-t-last-forever-so-i-shouldn-t-waste-a-single-minute/) [Lauren Morrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-morrill/) > [God Is Using Gianna Jessen To Remind The World, That Each Human Being Is Precious To Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/god-is-using-gianna-jessen-to-remind-the-world-that-each-human-being/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [You shouldn't waste your time …...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/you-shouldn-t-waste-your-time/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [And every human being is precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/and-every-human-being-is-precious/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“Roses shouldn't waste their thorns on each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-herrman/roses-shouldn-t-waste-their-thorns-on-each-other/) [Heather Herrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-herrman/) > [People who offer encouragement and embrace you as essentially human are precious and rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/people-who-offer-encouragement-and-embrace-you-as-essentially-human/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [the fact is, that life is too short to be occupied by aught but the present - hope and remembrance are equally a waste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/the-fact-is-that-life-is-too-short-to-be-occupied-by-aught-but-the/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) > [Don't waste time asking God to keep you from doing things. Don't do them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/don-t-waste-time-asking-god-to-keep-you-from-doing-things-don-t-do/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [it is a waste of time to ask more of people than they have to give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-halsey/it-is-a-waste-of-time-to-ask-more-of-people-than-they-have-to-give/) [Margaret Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-halsey/) > [Regret is an appalling waste of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/regret-is-an-appalling-waste-of-time/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [Why waste time trying to discover the truth, when you can so easily create it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baldacci/why-waste-time-trying-to-discover-the-truth-when-you-can-so-easily/) [David Baldacci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baldacci/) > [There is no bigger waste of time than doing 90% of what is necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/there-is-no-bigger-waste-of-time-than-doing-90-of-what-is-necessary/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Trying to find this industry's tendency to celebrate the physical is a waste of time. So I'm happy to play the game. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-wilde/trying-to-find-this-industry-s-tendency-to-celebrate-the-physical-is/) [Olivia Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-wilde/) ## More by Sakyong Mipham > [If we do not appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the human heart, how can we appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-do-not-appreciate-the-sensitivity-and-subtlety-of-the-human/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“Thus the mind is more present and at peace. So the clarity and peace of mind we feel after running is mostly because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/thus-the-mind-is-more-present-and-at-peace-so-the-clarity-and-peace/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [If we cut speed and relax with what’s going on in our life right now, kindness and patience will naturally come about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-cut-speed-and-relax-with-what-s-going-on-in-our-life-right-now/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [A lot of people do their practice. They meditate on compassion. Then they yell at people afterwards. That is not quite working. One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/a-lot-of-people-do-their-practice-they-meditate-on-compassion-then/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Our root fantasy is that "I" am real and that it's possible for "me" to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-that-it-s-possible-for-me-to/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [If we do not push ourselves enough, we do not grow, but if we push ourselves too much, we regress. What is enough will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-do-not-push-ourselves-enough-we-do-not-grow-but-if-we-push/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Shambhala teachings say we all have the potential to accomplish our enlightened nature - our basic goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/shambhala-teachings-say-we-all-have-the-potential-to-accomplish-our/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [True happiness is always available to us, but first we have to create the environment for it to flourish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/true-happiness-is-always-available-to-us-but-first-we-have-to-create/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Auspicious coincidence is the right thing happening at the right time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/auspicious-coincidence-is-the-right-thing-happening-at-the-right-time/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [A lot of times people do spiritual practice just for themselves. I try to turn that a little bit. I try to make spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/a-lot-of-times-people-do-spiritual-practice-just-for-themselves-i-try/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Enlightened Society is all about nurturing the human spirit - waking up to the goodness, kindness and strength that we already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/enlightened-society-is-all-about-nurturing-the-human-spirit-waking-up/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [After you run, there's a sense of accomplishment; you feel like your life is meaningful. It's a moment of clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/after-you-run-there-s-a-sense-of-accomplishment-you-feel-like-your/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“Gentleness can be developed with simple thoughts. First, appreciate who you are and make friends with yourself. Look at what you can do, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/gentleness-can-be-developed-with-simple-thoughts-first-appreciate-who/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [You have people who are good at English but don't have the training in Buddhism or Shambhala, or they have the training but are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/you-have-people-who-are-good-at-english-but-don-t-have-the-training/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“Past events are already gone, and the future is yet to happen. It is only in the present that we can be in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/past-events-are-already-gone-and-the-future-is-yet-to-happen-it-is/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) [Explore all 147 Sakyong Mipham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) [Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/) > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being human is a precious situation, and we shouldn't waste time in useless activities.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sakyong Mipham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and-we-shouldn-t-waste-time-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Activity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and-we-shouldn-t-waste-time-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e60/sakyong-mipham-2871_activity_being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and_2124492.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being human is a precious situation, and we shouldn't waste time in useless activities.” — Sakyong Mipham", "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": "Sakyong Mipham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Being human is a precious situation,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and-we-shouldn-t-waste-time-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/being-human-is-a-precious-situation-and-we-shouldn-t-waste-time-in/#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 } } ] } ```