“A woman of the world is anxious to exhibit her form and shape, whether walking, standing, sitting, or sleeping. Even when represented as a picture, she desires to captivate with the charms of her beauty and, thus, to rob men of their steadfast heart.”
- 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
“A woman of the world is anxious to exhibit her form and shape, whether walking, standing, sitting, or sleeping. Even when represented as a picture, she desires to captivate with the charms of her beauty and, thus, to rob men of their steadfast heart.”
Explanation
This quote reflects a traditional perspective on the role of beauty and desire in influencing human behavior, particularly focusing on a woman’s physical appearance. It suggests that a woman who is overly concerned with displaying her beauty can captivate others, particularly men, by exploiting the desire that physical attractiveness invokes. The quote hints at how such beauty, when used to attract attention, can divert individuals from spiritual or emotional steadiness, leading them to be distracted or entranced by superficial qualities rather than deeper virtues or personal integrity.
In modern life, this message may invite reflection on how society places value on physical appearance, often at the expense of deeper qualities like wisdom, compassion, and inner strength. While physical beauty is naturally appreciated, this quote suggests that it should not become a means of manipulating or distracting others from what truly matters—both in relationships and in personal development. Instead, the focus should be on cultivating qualities that foster authentic connection, mutual respect, and emotional stability. For example, rather than seeking to impress others based solely on outward appearance, one can focus on developing meaningful character traits that lead to long-term relationships based on trust and understanding.
Historically, Buddha’s teachings often emphasized the impermanence of physical beauty and the dangers of attachment to it. In Buddhism, the focus is on cultivating inner qualities—such as wisdom, compassion, and equanimity—that lead to true peace and enlightenment. Buddha warned that attachment to the material world, including the physical body, can lead to suffering and distraction from the deeper spiritual path. The teaching encourages us to look beyond the fleeting nature of physical appearance and focus on the cultivation of lasting inner qualities.
