Pain Quote by Thich Nhat Hanh
![“[I]f an arrow hits you, you will feel pain in that part of your body where the arrow hit; and then if a second arrow comes and strikes exactly at the same spot, the pain will not be only double, it will become at least ten times more intense. The unwelcome things that sometimes happen in…” quote by Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/811/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh-689_pain_i-f-an-arrow-hits-you-you-will-feel-pain_366893.jpg){kind=icon}
““[I]f an arrow hits you, you will feel pain in that part of your body where the arrow hit; and then if a second arrow comes and strikes exactly at the same spot, the pain will not be only double, it will become at least ten times more intense. The unwelcome things that sometimes happen in life—being rejected, losing a valuable object, failing a test, getting injured in an accident—are analogous to the first arrow. They cause some pain. The second arrow, fired by our own selves, is our reaction, our storyline, and our anxiety. All these things magnify the suffering””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Living, Thich Nhat Hanh, 1995
Our initial hardships cause pain, but our mental reactions amplify it dramatically, creating far greater suffering.
In simple terms: First pain is real; our thoughts can make it much worse.
Key Takeaway
Notice and soften your mental reactions.
Themes
mindfulness
ufferinguffering
self‑compassion
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- stress at work
- relationship conflict
- health setbacks
- exam failure
Key Concepts
attachment
cognitive amplification
psychological pain
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you add a second arrow?
- What practices help you observe thoughts without judgment?
A Different Perspective
If we cannot control external events, we can still choose our internal response.
