--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We who are like senseless children shrink…" description: "\"“We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/shantideva-10592_anger_we-who-are-like-senseless-children-shrin_747917.jpg" --- # We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering… ![“We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the object of our anger?” quote by Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/shantideva-10592_anger_we-who-are-like-senseless-children-shrin_747917.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/shantideva-10592_anger_we-who-are-like-senseless-children-shrin_747917.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/shantideva-10592_anger_we-who-are-like-senseless-children-shrin_747917.jpg) > ““We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the object of our anger?”” [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. We avoid pain yet cling to its causes, creating self‑inflicted suffering and anger toward others. **In simple terms:** Avoiding pain while causing it hurts us and others. Key Takeaway Recognize and release self‑inflicted suffering. Themes compassion self‑awareness anger attachment Mood reflective serene Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal conflict - relationships - mental health - spiritual practice Key Concepts Buddhist ethics psychology mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What causes you to cling to painful patterns? - How can compassion replace anger? A Different Perspective Self‑inflicted pain often stems from misunderstanding our own desires. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Object Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/object-anger-5640096/) [Pain Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-self-249318/) [Self inflicted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-inflicted/) [Shrink Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shrink-suffering-5825285/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [“Emotional pain is also self-inflicted. It will remain with you until you reclaim the infinite power within. You need to be constantly mindful, expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-rangel-gerry-o-malley/emotional-pain-is-also-self-inflicted-it-will-remain-with-you-until/) [Ana Rangel & Gerry O'malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-rangel-gerry-o-malley/) > [“It is growing up different. It is extreme hypersensitivity. It is a bottomless pit of feeling you're failing, but three days later, you feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-is-growing-up-different-it-is-extreme-hypersensitivity-it-is-a/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [The angry man wishes the object of his anger to suffer in return; hatred wishes its object not to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-angry-man-wishes-the-object-of-his-anger-to-suffer-in-return/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-it-is-the-bitter-potion-by-which-the-2/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“When we cry for people we’ve lost, it’s not out of sympathy, because of course we know that they’re free from pain at last.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesb/when-we-cry-for-people-we-ve-lost-it-s-not-out-of-sympathy-because-of/) [Jo Nesbø](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesb/) > [“And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief. Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/and-you-would-watch-with-serenity-through-the-winters-of-your-grief/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [The more I thought to myself, 'Are my thoughts right, am I being obedient enough?' the worse it was... one of the most painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/the-more-i-thought-to-myself-are-my-thoughts-right-am-i-being/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [Much of your pain is self-chosen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“People in pain can be very self-destructive. And sometimes they pull in the people who are close to them, often without realizing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-barnard/people-in-pain-can-be-very-self-destructive-and-sometimes-they-pull/) [Sara Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-barnard/) > [You see my scars but not my fresh cuts..No because they are covered..and I don't want you to see how much pain I'm really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megannn/you-see-my-scars-but-not-my-fresh-cuts-no-because-they-are-covered/) [Megannn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megannn/) > [We are male and female. We are artists, athletes, students, and business owners. We have depression, DID, PTSD, eating disorders, borderline personalities, bipolar disorder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-male-and-female-we-are-artists-athletes-students-and-business/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [FALSE TEARS bring pain to the ones around you, but FALSE SMILES brings pain to one self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/false-tears-bring-pain-to-the-ones-around-you-but-false-smiles-brings/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-it-is-the-bitter-potion-by-which-the/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [I really need to stop pushing away those who try to help me & forget about those who just bring so much pain to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-really-need-to-stop-pushing-away-those-who-try-to-help-me-forget/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The meeting started, and I could barely listen for my self-mortification. I wanted the hour to end so I could ask her what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lynch/the-meeting-started-and-i-could-barely-listen-for-my-self/) [Jane Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lynch/) ## 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 Anger quotes > [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/) [Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/) > [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [My care will be in the heart n not in words My anger will be in Words n not in the Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/my-care-will-be-in-the-heart-n-not-in-words-my-anger-will-be-in-words/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-a-negro-in-this-country-and-to-be-relatively-conscious-is-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) [Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! 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