He was not a political leader neither a religious monk, he was and remains one of the brightest sons of Mother India – he was Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest thinker and philosopher of our times .
Born Narendranath Dutta on January 12, 1863, he lived only till the age of 39 and died on July 4, 1902 but such was the power of his thought and it continues to remain relevant even today.
As India cerebrates his birth anniversary as National Youth Day today, here's a compilation of some of his most inspiring quotes.
“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”
“We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.”
“The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.”
“In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart. ”
“In a day, when you don't come across any problems - you can be sure that you are travelling in a wrong path.”
“Each work has to pass through these stages—ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak; do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do nowadays. You can do any thing and everything, without even the guidance of any one. Stand up and express the divinity within you.”
“Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life.”
“Ask nothing; want nothing in return. Give what you have to give; it will come back to you, but do not think of that now.”
“Like me or Hate me, both are in my favour, If you like me I am in your Heart, If you hate me I am in your mind.”
“Always discriminate - your body, your house, the people around, and the world are all unreal like a dream. Always think that this body is only an inert instrument. And the Atman within is your real nature.”
“Are you unselfish? That is the question. If you are, you will be perfect without reading a single religious book, without going into a single church or temple.”
“Let us make our hearts as big as an ocean, to go beyond all the trifles of the world and see it only as a picture. We can then enjoy the world without being in any way affected by it.”
“Mind you, this is life's experience: if you really want the good of others, the whole universe may stand against you and cannot hurt you. It must crumble before your power of the Lord Himself in you if you are sincere and really unselfish.”
