--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What need is there to say more? The…" description: "\"“What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look at the difference betwe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/shantideva-10592_buddhahood_what-need-is-there-to-say-more-the-child_1086927.jpg" --- # What need is there to say more? The childish work for… ![“What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look at the difference between them. If I do not exchange my happiness, for the suffering of others, I shall not attain the state of Buddhahood. And even in Samsara I shall…” quote by Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/shantideva-10592_buddhahood_what-need-is-there-to-say-more-the-child_1086927.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/shantideva-10592_buddhahood_what-need-is-there-to-say-more-the-child_1086927.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/shantideva-10592_buddhahood_what-need-is-there-to-say-more-the-child_1086927.jpg) > ““What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look at the difference between them. If I do not exchange my happiness, for the suffering of others, I shall not attain the state of Buddhahood. And even in Samsara I shall have no real joy. The source of all misery in the world lies in thinking of oneself; The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others.”” [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. The quote teaches that personal fulfillment arises from selfless concern for others, while selfishness breeds suffering. **In simple terms:** Helping others brings true happiness; selfishness causes misery. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion for lasting joy. Themes compassion selflessness spirituality Mood reflective serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - volunteering - caregiving - conflict resolution - mental health practice Key Concepts Buddhist ethics interdependence Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift focus from self to others? - What obstacles arise when practicing compassion? A Different Perspective Selfless service may be difficult when personal needs compete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Real joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-joy/) [Samsara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/samsara/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Thinking of others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-of-others/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [“Mark you, no Krishna can clear your eyes and make you look with a broader vision upon life in your march upward and onward,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/mark-you-no-krishna-can-clear-your-eyes-and-make-you-look-with-a/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“A million faces of Buddha smiled at the night's futile attempt to lull the Awakened One into an ocean of dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lidija-stankovikj/a-million-faces-of-buddha-smiled-at-the-night-s-futile-attempt-to/) [Lidija Stankovikj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lidija-stankovikj/) > [“The leaves that remain are only a very small part of the tea. The tea that goes into me is a much bigger part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/the-leaves-that-remain-are-only-a-very-small-part-of-the-tea-the-tea/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) ## 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 Buddhahood quotes > [“Mark you, no Krishna can clear your eyes and make you look with a broader vision upon life in your march upward and onward,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/mark-you-no-krishna-can-clear-your-eyes-and-make-you-look-with-a/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“A million faces of Buddha smiled at the night's futile attempt to lull the Awakened One into an ocean of dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lidija-stankovikj/a-million-faces-of-buddha-smiled-at-the-night-s-futile-attempt-to/) [Lidija Stankovikj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lidija-stankovikj/) > [“The leaves that remain are only a very small part of the tea. 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