Bhartrihari quotes

Bhartrihari was an ancient Indian philosopher, poet, and grammarian, renowned for his influential works in Sanskrit literature. His collections of poetry explore themes such as love, renunciation, and ethics. He is also known for his treatises on linguistics and has significantly impacted Indian philosophical thought. Here are 7 of his quotes:

A person's ears get glorified by listening to scriptures and not by wearing ear-rings, hands are adorned by giving alms to the poor and not by wearing bracelets. (Bhartrihari)
When I knew but a little, I was blinded by pride as an elephant is blinded by rut from excitement, and my mind was puffed up with the idea that I knew everything. When, however, I gradually gained knowledge through the contact of the wise I found I was a fool; and the pride, which had possessed me like a fever, left me. View quote
Bhartrihari
Life is flowing away like water running out from a leaky vessel. View quote
Bhartrihari
In opulence the heart of great men is as soft as that of a lotus flower, but in adversity the same hardens like a rock of a big mountain. View quote
Bhartrihari
Those men are good who study the good of others without regarding themselves. Those men are ordinary men who, while they benefit others, do not neglect their own interests. Those men are demons who destroy another's good for their own profit. What shall we call those who aimlessly destroy that which is another's? View quote
Bhartrihari
The maid my true heart loves would not my true love be; She seeks another man; another maid loves he; And me another maid her own true love would see: Oh, fie on her and him and Love and HER and me! View quote
Bhartrihari
The sun opens the lotuses; the moon illuminates the beds of water-lilies; the cloud pours forth its water unasked: even so the liberal of their own accord are occupied in benefiting others. View quote
Bhartrihari