--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just as I defend myself, therefore, From…" description: "\"Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for others' sake To guard and to protect them w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg" --- # Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant… ![“Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for others' sake To guard and to protect them with compassion.” quote by Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg) > “Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for others' sake To guard and to protect them with compassion.” [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defend oneself from minor harms and extend that protective compassion to others. **In simple terms:** Protect yourself and others with compassion. Key Takeaway Act compassionately for self and others. Themes compassion self‑defense altruism Mood calm inspirational Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - daily interactions - conflict - community service Key Concepts Buddhist ethics empathy Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain compassion without burnout? - When should you prioritize self‑care? A Different Perspective Compassion can be exhausted without self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend/) [Defend Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-myself/) [Defend Unpleasant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-unpleasant-5511205/) [Guard Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guard-protect-1335225/) [Happenings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happenings/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect/) [Protect Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-compassion-2587401/) [Sake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sake/) ## Related quotes > [Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-battle-will-be-victorious/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/experience-teaches-us-to-be-most-on-our-guard-to-protect-liberty-when/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [“I am your guard. I'm here to protect you and keep you out of trouble, and that’s it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/i-am-your-guard-i-m-here-to-protect-you-and-keep-you-out-of-trouble/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [I’m fighting for my life, I have to defend myself. If I don’t defend myself, no one else will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-rodriguez/i-m-fighting-for-my-life-i-have-to-defend-myself-if-i-don-t-defend/) [Alex Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-rodriguez/) > [I don't really feel the need to defend myself for having a six-pack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sorrentino/i-don-t-really-feel-the-need-to-defend-myself-for-having-a-six-pack/) [Michael Sorrentino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sorrentino/) > [When someone abuses me I can defend myself, but against praise I am defenceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/when-someone-abuses-me-i-can-defend-myself-but-against-praise-i-am/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [“For the record, while it's very charming that you keep trying to protect me, I would like to remind you that I actually know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/for-the-record-while-it-s-very-charming-that-you-keep-trying-to/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [Being a black belt from the Nogueira brothers, I have the obligation to always defend myself well on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-silva/being-a-black-belt-from-the-nogueira-brothers-i-have-the-obligation/) [Anderson Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-silva/) > [My parents taught me the way to deal with being picked on was to be compassionate. I had to defend myself physically, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-rubinek/my-parents-taught-me-the-way-to-deal-with-being-picked-on-was-to-be/) [Saul Rubinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-rubinek/) > [On a few words of what is real in the world I nourish myself. I defend myself against Whatever remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stevens/on-a-few-words-of-what-is-real-in-the-world-i-nourish-myself-i-defend/) [Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stevens/) > [“...I long ago gave up defending humanity. It's beyond me on most days to defend myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/i-long-ago-gave-up-defending-humanity-it-s-beyond-me-on-most-days-to/) [Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/) > [“One day I had nothing but my childhood to defend myself…..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sameh-elsayed/one-day-i-had-nothing-but-my-childhood-to-defend-myself/) [Sameh Elsayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sameh-elsayed/) > [For me, I don't have to defend myself that I am not a racist. I won't go in that discussion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxime-bernier/for-me-i-don-t-have-to-defend-myself-that-i-am-not-a-racist-i-won-t/) [Maxime Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxime-bernier/) > [I cannot defend myself during a trial if there is no charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sooraj-pancholi/i-cannot-defend-myself-during-a-trial-if-there-is-no-charge/) [Sooraj Pancholi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sooraj-pancholi/) > [Swearing's my release. It's the one weapon I have to defend myself against destiny when it elects to strike without pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-pirlo/swearing-s-my-release-it-s-the-one-weapon-i-have-to-defend-myself/) [Andrea Pirlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-pirlo/) ## More by Shantideva > [Instead of trying to cover the whole world with leather, put on some sandals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/instead-of-trying-to-cover-the-whole-world-with-leather-put-on-some/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [In the ages marked by scarcity and want, may I myself appear as drink and sustenance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/in-the-ages-marked-by-scarcity-and-want-may-i-myself-appear-as-drink/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking pleasure for others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/all-the-suffering-in-the-world-comes-from-seeking-pleasure-for/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [Examine thus yourself from every side. Note harmful thoughts and every futile striving. Thus it is that heroes in the bodhisattva path Apply the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/examine-thus-yourself-from-every-side-note-harmful-thoughts-and-every/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [All those who slight me to my face, Or do me any other evil, Even if they blame or slander me, May they attain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/all-those-who-slight-me-to-my-face-or-do-me-any-other-evil-even-if/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy about something if it cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/why-be-unhappy-about-something-if-it-can-be-remedied-and-what-is-the/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [Those desiring to escape from suffering hasten right toward suffering. With the very desire for happiness, out of delusion they destroy their own happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/those-desiring-to-escape-from-suffering-hasten-right-toward-suffering/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [It is not possible to control all external events; But, if I simply control my mind what need is there to control other things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/it-is-not-possible-to-control-all-external-events-but-if-i-simply/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/the-source-of-all-happiness-lies-in-thinking-of-others/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [“We hate suffering, but love it’s causes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/we-hate-suffering-but-love-it-s-causes/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [It is natural for the immature to harm others. Getting angry with them is like resenting a fire for burning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/it-is-natural-for-the-immature-to-harm-others-getting-angry-with-them/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [“May the blind see the forms, May the deaf hear sounds. May the naked find clothing, The hungry find food; May the thirsty find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-the-blind-see-the-forms-may-the-deaf-hear-sounds-may-the-naked/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/what-need-is-there-to-say-more-the-childish-work-for-their-own/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [The renunciation of doing harm is the perfection of discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/the-renunciation-of-doing-harm-is-the-perfection-of-discipline/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [In joy and sorrow all are equal, Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/in-joy-and-sorrow-all-are-equal-thus-be-guardian-of-all-as-of-yourself/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) [Explore all 63 Shantideva quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) [Segun Magbagbeola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/segun-magbagbeola/) > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) [Talib al Habib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-al-habib/) > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for others' sake To guard and to protect them with compassion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shantideva" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-all-unpleasant-happenings/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-all-unpleasant-happenings/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/shantideva-10592_compassion_just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-a_1502371.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for…” — Shantideva", "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": "Shantideva", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Just as I defend myself, therefore,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-all-unpleasant-happenings/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-all-unpleasant-happenings/#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 } } ] } ```