“The foolish man conceives the idea of ‘self.’ The wise man sees there is no ground on which to build the idea of ‘self;’ thus, he has a right conception of the world and well concludes that all compounds amassed by sorrow will be dissolved again, but the truth will remain.”
- 7th century BC to 5th century BC
- Indian
- Religious leader, thinker
- Founded Buddhism, taught people the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which showed the causes of suffering and how to resolve them, and spread the path of training aimed at inner liberation and enlightenment.
Quote
“The foolish man conceives the idea of ‘self.’ The wise man sees there is no ground on which to build the idea of ‘self;’ thus, he has a right conception of the world and well concludes that all compounds amassed by sorrow will be dissolved again, but the truth will remain.”
Explanation
This quote distinguishes between the foolish and the wise in their understanding of the concept of self. The foolish man clings to the idea of a permanent, separate self, rooted in ego and attachment. This attachment leads to suffering, as the individual identifies with transient experiences and external circumstances. On the other hand, the wise man sees through the illusion of a fixed self, recognizing that all things—emotions, thoughts, and even the physical body—are impermanent. By understanding that there is no solid, unchanging self to cling to, the wise person attains a clear and truthful understanding of the world, knowing that all things born from suffering will eventually dissolve, but the truth of the world remains.
In modern life, this message encourages us to move beyond the attachment to our ego and identity. The concept of the self can often lead to stress, conflict, and self-centered behavior, particularly when we define ourselves solely by our possessions, achievements, or external roles. However, embracing the idea that the self is fluid and impermanent can lead to freedom from the constant desire to protect or assert the self. For example, letting go of the need for external validation or success as the defining factor of one’s identity can lead to a greater sense of inner peace and clarity.
Historically, this teaching aligns with the Buddhist concept of anatta (non-self), which teaches that the belief in a permanent, separate self is an illusion. According to Buddha, attachment to this illusion causes suffering. The wise understand that everything is interconnected and impermanent, and by letting go of the false notion of self, they can transcend sorrow and attain enlightenment. This understanding leads to a deeper connection with the truth, which remains constant and undisturbed, regardless of the impermanence of the world around us.
