--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: May I be like a guard for those who are…" description: "\"May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless, A guide for those who journey on the road. For those who wish to go across the water, May I be a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg" --- # May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless, A… ![“May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless, A guide for those who journey on the road. For those who wish to go across the water, May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.” quote by Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg) > “May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless, A guide for those who journey on the road. For those who wish to go across the water, May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.” [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. Offering protection and guidance to those in need, becoming a bridge or vessel for others. **In simple terms:** Be a helper and guide for those lacking support. Key Takeaway Serve as a supportive presence. Themes compassion service interdependence Mood empathetic inspirational Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - community volunteering - mentor roles - disaster relief - refugee assistance Key Concepts Buddhist ethics selfless aid Questions to Reflect On - How can you help without losing yourself? - What boundaries protect your well‑being? A Different Perspective Self-sacrifice can lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boat/) [Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridges/) [Guard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guard/) [Guard Protectorless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guard-protectorless-518981/) [Guide Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guide-journey-518982/) [Guides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guides/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Like Guard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-guard-518980/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“May the stars guide you on your journey, and your heart always lead you home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melaina-rayne/may-the-stars-guide-you-on-your-journey-and-your-heart-always-lead/) [Melaina Rayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melaina-rayne/) > [“Heavy fog is a weird guide! If you go on a journey with him, it takes you from nowhere and leaves you at nowhere!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/heavy-fog-is-a-weird-guide-if-you-go-on-a-journey-with-him-it-takes/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Vision is knowing who you are, where you're going, and what will guide your journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard/vision-is-knowing-who-you-are-where-you-re-going-and-what-will-guide/) [Ken Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard/) > [Heck yes; a center always likes to shoot like a guard. But that just wasn't my thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikan/heck-yes-a-center-always-likes-to-shoot-like-a-guard-but-that-just/) [George Mikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikan/) > [“When shall we break into the jail, then?" John asked. "Midnight. The guard changes then, and you'll fair certain look less conspicuous in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-gaughen/when-shall-we-break-into-the-jail-then-john-asked-midnight-the-guard/) [A.C. Gaughen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-gaughen/) > [I told Dee, I wish I could scare people with my presence like you do. When a guard sees Dee Ford on them, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-bosa/i-told-dee-i-wish-i-could-scare-people-with-my-presence-like-you-do/) [Nick Bosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-bosa/) > [I'm kind of mobile like a guard, so when I'm dunking it doesn't look like a big guy dunking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-m-kind-of-mobile-like-a-guard-so-when-i-m-dunking-it-doesn-t-look/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I think I've shown patches of being a good defender and then I've gotten lazy off the ball and you make a stupid play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-ingles/i-think-i-ve-shown-patches-of-being-a-good-defender-and-then-i-ve/) [Joe Ingles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-ingles/) > [“I’d bring our big players out to the perimeter and make them run the play like a guard, so they saw the play from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-d-bring-our-big-players-out-to-the-perimeter-and-make-them-run-the/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [May I become at all times, both now and forever: a protector for those without protection; a guide for those who have lost their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-i-become-at-all-times-both-now-and-forever-a-protector-for-those/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [I want the unobtainable. Other artists paint a bridge, a house, a boat, and that's the end. They are finished. I want to paint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/i-want-the-unobtainable-other-artists-paint-a-bridge-a-house-a-boat/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [Poetry is a section of river-fog and moving boat-lights, delivered between bridges and whistles, so one says, 'Oh!' and another, 'How?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/poetry-is-a-section-of-river-fog-and-moving-boat-lights-delivered/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [The coffers are full of money and equipment for the Ferguson Police and the Missouri National Guard to put down a potential uprising, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/the-coffers-are-full-of-money-and-equipment-for-the-ferguson-police/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [First at the outset, let me commend the great men and women of the United States Coast Guard for what they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vito-fossella/first-at-the-outset-let-me-commend-the-great-men-and-women-of-the/) [Vito Fossella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vito-fossella/) > [There's always a good point guard in this league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/there-s-always-a-good-point-guard-in-this-league/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) ## 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 Boat quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Fly-fishing for wild trout on quiet waters must be one of the toughest and craziest ways to catch fish ever invented by man, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-voelker/fly-fishing-for-wild-trout-on-quiet-waters-must-be-one-of-the/) [John D. Voelker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-voelker/) > [It was just the sort of yatch you'd expect a rock promoter to have. Mirrored ceilings, marble, Jacuzzis and leopard-skin everything, it made the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-anderson/it-was-just-the-sort-of-yatch-you-d-expect-a-rock-promoter-to-have/) [Pamela Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-anderson/) > [It's a hindrance in trying to get a serious acting role. The minute a producer has a script and my name comes up, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbi-benton/it-s-a-hindrance-in-trying-to-get-a-serious-acting-role-the-minute-a/) [Barbi Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbi-benton/) > [Something I like to do a lot is just sit by water when there’s a current and just stare into the water. I don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/something-i-like-to-do-a-lot-is-just-sit-by-water-when-there-s-a/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [The trouble is, you can't properly present something you don't believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mcguane/the-trouble-is-you-can-t-properly-present-something-you-don-t-believe/) [Thomas McGuane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mcguane/) > [You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/you-know-how-this-is-if-i-look-at-the-crystal-moon-at-the-red-branch/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [A film is a boat which is always on the point of sinking-it always tends to break up as you go along and drag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-truffaut/a-film-is-a-boat-which-is-always-on-the-point-of-sinking-it-always/) [Francois Truffaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-truffaut/) > [I took one guitar lesson, and they wanted me to play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' or 'Michael Row the Boat Ashore,' and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-took-one-guitar-lesson-and-they-wanted-me-to-play-mary-had-a-little/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [I was 35 years old and in a position to take a shot at whatever I wanted to try. The Air Force said I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-doyle/i-was-35-years-old-and-in-a-position-to-take-a-shot-at-whatever-i/) [Jerry Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-doyle/) > [We wanted a musical number that would capture the exhilaration of being out on a boat as they were and sailing with the stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-musker/we-wanted-a-musical-number-that-would-capture-the-exhilaration-of/) [John Musker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-musker/) > [I thought I would try my hand at sailing. It was too small and kept sinking, so I decided to try a boat instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-jolly/i-thought-i-would-try-my-hand-at-sailing-it-was-too-small-and-kept/) [Arthur M. Jolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-jolly/) > [I once went down the Amazon and our boat got charged by Columbian policemen with guns and we all had to get on motorbikes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-skelton/i-once-went-down-the-amazon-and-our-boat-got-charged-by-columbian/) [Helen Skelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-skelton/) > [Most of the world is covered by water. A fisherman's job is simple: Pick out the best parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-w-waterman/most-of-the-world-is-covered-by-water-a-fisherman-s-job-is-simple/) [Charles W. Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-w-waterman/) [Browse all 1,788 Boat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boat/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless, A guide for those who journey on the road. For those who wish to go across the water, May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shantideva" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are-protectorless-a-guide-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boat" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are-protectorless-a-guide-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/shantideva-10592_boat_may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are_1635031.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless, A guide for those who journey on the road. For those…” — 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": "May I be like a guard...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are-protectorless-a-guide-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-i-be-like-a-guard-for-those-who-are-protectorless-a-guide-for/#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 } } ] } ```