--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Karma moves in two directions. If we act…" description: "\"Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results.\" — Sakyon..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f0/sakyong-mipham-2871_bad-karma_karma-moves-in-two-directions-if-we-act_1955974.jpg" --- # Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the… ![“Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results.” quote by Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f0/sakyong-mipham-2871_bad-karma_karma-moves-in-two-directions-if-we-act_1955974.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f0/sakyong-mipham-2871_bad-karma_karma-moves-in-two-directions-if-we-act_1955974.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f0/sakyong-mipham-2871_bad-karma_karma-moves-in-two-directions-if-we-act_1955974.jpg) > “Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results.” [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. Karma reflects the moral law that good actions bring happiness while bad actions bring suffering. **In simple terms:** Good deeds bring joy; bad deeds bring pain. Key Takeaway Act virtuously to cultivate happiness. Themes morality cause and effect personal responsibility Mood reflective thoughtful Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - daily decisions - relationships - career choices Key Concepts Karma ethical reciprocity Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure the impact of your actions? - Can you forgive yourself for past mistakes? A Different Perspective Karma may not be immediately observable, leading to doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-karma/) [Good karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-karma/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma/) [Law of karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-of-karma/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act nonvirtuously, suffering results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/karma-moves-in-two-directions-if-we-act-virtuously-the-seed-we-plant-2/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [If we would induce others to act virtuously, it will prove more effectual to show them their capacities than to expose their weakness--to attract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-hubbel-chapin/if-we-would-induce-others-to-act-virtuously-it-will-prove-more/) [Edwin Hubbel Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-hubbel-chapin/) > [Virtues are dispositions not only to act in particular ways, but also to feel in particular ways. To act virtuously is not, as Kant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alasdair-macintyre/virtues-are-dispositions-not-only-to-act-in-particular-ways-but-also/) [Alasdair MacIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alasdair-macintyre/) > [“On the one hand, they must develop virtuous habits of behavior; and on the other, they must develop their mental powers through the study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/on-the-one-hand-they-must-develop-virtuous-habits-of-behavior-and-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Live simply and virtuously, true to your nature, drawing no line between what is spiritual and what is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/live-simply-and-virtuously-true-to-your-nature-drawing-no-line/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Learn to overrule minor interest in favor of great ones, and generously to do all the good the heart prompts; a man is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-de-clapiers/learn-to-overrule-minor-interest-in-favor-of-great-ones-and/) [Luc de Clapiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-de-clapiers/) > [Living virtuously is equal to living in accordance with one's experience of the actual course of nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrysippus/living-virtuously-is-equal-to-living-in-accordance-with-one-s/) [Chrysippus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrysippus/) > [“Yet through virtuous living man is further ordained to a higher end, which consists in the enjoyment of God, as we have said above.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-thomas-aquinas/yet-through-virtuous-living-man-is-further-ordained-to-a-higher-end/) [St. Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-thomas-aquinas/) > [They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/they-only-have-lived-long-who-have-lived-virtuously/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Things don't just happen in this world of arising and passing away. We don't live in some kind of crazy, accidental universe. Things happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/things-don-t-just-happen-in-this-world-of-arising-and-passing-away-we/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [The Law of Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-law-of-karma/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“According to the law of karma, souls reincarnate in environments befitting their spiritual attainments. Good people (even those who have veered from the spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bhagavad-gita/according-to-the-law-of-karma-souls-reincarnate-in-environments/) [The Bhagavad Gita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bhagavad-gita/) > [“Many people misunderstand forgiveness to be a pardoning or exoneration of the act committed. It is not. Every wrong act and every evil deed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keidi-keating/many-people-misunderstand-forgiveness-to-be-a-pardoning-or/) Keidi Keating > [A person may desire to live for hundreds of years if he works according to this truth because that sort of work will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-ishopanishad-mantra-two/a-person-may-desire-to-live-for-hundreds-of-years-if-he-works/) Sri Ishopanishad Mantra Two > [The Law of Karma is also called the Law of Cause and Effect, Action and Reaction and also as you sow, so shall you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sham-hinduja/the-law-of-karma-is-also-called-the-law-of-cause-and-effect-action/) [Sham Hinduja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sham-hinduja/) ## 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 Bad karma quotes > [If you leave someone for another person, don't be surprised if that person leaves you for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-leave-someone-for-another-person-don-t-be-surprised-if-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cant have your cake and eat it too. Reap what you sow, practice what you preach. Good karma, bad karma. life is not fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/cant-have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too-reap-what-you-sow-practice-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Take a deep breath. It,s just a bad day not a bad life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/take-a-deep-breath-it-s-just-a-bad-day-not-a-bad-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [KARMAS a bitch it will get you time and time again so fuck off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everyone-knowthis/karmas-a-bitch-it-will-get-you-time-and-time-again-so-fuck-off/) EveryOne Knowthis > [That heart attack moment, when u know ur about to be in some deep shiit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syoung/that-heart-attack-moment-when-u-know-ur-about-to-be-in-some-deep-shiit/) Syoung > [“Nowadays, in Japan, when mother, or baby, or mother and baby die in childbirth, people say, ‘Ah…they die because gods decide so.’ Or, ‘They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/nowadays-in-japan-when-mother-or-baby-or-mother-and-baby-die-in/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [All that matters is that you KNOW your worth. If they don't know your worth realize that it's OKAY because they aren't meant for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/all-that-matters-is-that-you-know-your-worth-if-they-don-t-know-your/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Karma where you at ? show him how it feels , to give someone your all & it was never even reall..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/karma-where-you-at-show-him-how-it-feels-to-give-someone-your-all-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God save the Queen and a fascist regime … a flabby toothless fascism, to be sure. Never go too far in any direction, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/god-save-the-queen-and-a-fascist-regime-a-flabby-toothless-fascism-to/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) > [If a dog bites once thats the dog's fault. If the dog bites you twice its your fault…So I'm not bothering the dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-a-dog-bites-once-thats-the-dog-s-fault-if-the-dog-bites-you-twice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People will let you down in this life, promises will be broken, you should expect less of others and trust more in yourself. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/people-will-let-you-down-in-this-life-promises-will-be-broken-you/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [“Never envy someone! Envy is bad karma and karma is a bitch ;)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-n/never-envy-someone-envy-is-bad-karma-and-karma-is-a-bitch/) Maria N > [Karma is when you throw a banana in Mario Kart and you end up slipping on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/karma-is-when-you-throw-a-banana-in-mario-kart-and-you-end-up/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you blame others for your own mistakes , Others will start blaming you for their mistakes - Karma works on every Shit you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/when-you-blame-others-for-your-own-mistakes-others-will-start-blaming/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [What goes around comes around,when and how nobody knows and with double intensity-be it good or bad! so do good to others.Apologize for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reema-chandnani/what-goes-around-comes-around-when-and-how-nobody-knows-and-with/) [Reema Chandnani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reema-chandnani/) [Browse all 195 Bad karma quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-karma/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Karma moves in two directions. 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