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100 Inspirational Quotes By Thich Nhat Hanh, The Man Who Taught Us The Value Of Love & Compassion

Famous As: Buddhist monk and peace activist who has founded dozens of schools and universities and has published over 100 books.
Born On: October 11, 1926
Born In: Huế, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, French Indochina
Age: 96 Years

Thich Nhat Hanh is a prominent peace and human rights activist from Vietnam. He was also a leading figure in rebuilding and reforming Vietnam after the war. A Buddhist monk Hanh is also a promulgator of mindfulness meditation and is also quite popular in the West. The following is a story told by the exiled activist.

It is a story of the woman who used to practice the invocation of Buddha Amitabha's name thrice everyday. Hahn says, “She is very tough, and she practices the invocation three times daily, using a wooden drum and a bell, reciting, “Namo Amitabha Buddha” for one hour each time. When she arrives at one thousand times, she invites the bell to sound. (In Vietnamese, we don’t say “strike” or “hit” a bell.) Although she has been doing this for ten years, her personality has not changed. She is still quite mean, shouting at people all the time.

A friend wanted to teach her a lesson, so one afternoon when she had just lit the incense, invited the bell to sound three times, and was beginning to recite “Namo Amitabha Buddha,” he came to her door, and said, “Mrs. Nguyen, Mrs. Nguyen!” She found it very annoying because this was her time of practice, but he just stood at the front gate shouting her name. She said to herself, “I have to struggle against my anger, so I will ignore that,” and she went on, “Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha.”

The gentleman continued to shout her name, and her anger became more and more oppressive. She struggled against it, wondering, “Should I stop my recitation and go and give him a piece of my mind?” But she continued chanting, and she struggled very hard. Fire mounted in her, but she still tried to chant “Namo Amitabha Buddha.” The gentleman knew it, and he continued to shout, “Mrs. Nguyen! Mrs. Nguyen!”

She could not bear it any longer. She threw away the bell and the drum. She slammed the door, went out to the gate and said, “Why, why do you behave like that? Why do you call my name hundreds of times like that?” The gentleman smiled at her and said, “I just called your name for ten minutes, and you are so angry. You have been calling the Buddha’s name for ten years. Think how angry he must be!”

The following section lists some of the famous quotes by the motivational speaker Thich Nhat Hanh.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

Thich Nhat Hanh
When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.

When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Thich Nhat Hanh
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

Thich Nhat Hanh
People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.

People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything - anger, anxiety, or possessions - we cannot be free.

Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything - anger, anxiety, or possessions - we cannot be free.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Because you are alive, everything is possible.

Because you are alive, everything is possible.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.

Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Smile, breathe and go slowly.

Smile, breathe and go slowly.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Many people think excitement is happiness.... But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.

Many people think excitement is happiness.... But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.

The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.

Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh
My actions are my only true belongings.

My actions are my only true belongings.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If you love someone but rarely make yourself available to him or her, that is not true love.

If you love someone but rarely make yourself available to him or her, that is not true love.

Thich Nhat Hanh
You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.

You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.

Thich Nhat Hanh
For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.

For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Our own life has to be our message.

Our own life has to be our message.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Life is available only in the present moment.

Life is available only in the present moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh
We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.

We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it. (21)

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it. (21)

Thich Nhat Hanh
Suffering is not enough. Life is both dreadful and wonderful...How can I smile when I am filled with so much sorrow? It is natural--you need to smile to your sorrow because you are more than your sorrow.

Suffering is not enough. Life is both dreadful and wonderful...How can I smile when I am filled with so much sorrow? It is natural--you need to smile to your sorrow because you are more than your sorrow.

Thich Nhat Hanh
I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me to live.

I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me to live.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.

The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.

Thich Nhat Hanh
When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.

When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence

If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence

Thich Nhat Hanh
Compassion is a verb.

Compassion is a verb.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The secret of Buddhism is to remove all ideas, all concepts, in order for the truth to have a chance to penetrate, to reveal itself.

The secret of Buddhism is to remove all ideas, all concepts, in order for the truth to have a chance to penetrate, to reveal itself.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything.

Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The wave does not need to die to become water. She is already water.

The wave does not need to die to become water. She is already water.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If you suffer and make your loved ones suffer, there is nothing that can justify your desire.

If you suffer and make your loved ones suffer, there is nothing that can justify your desire.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Understanding means throwing away your knowledge.

Understanding means throwing away your knowledge.

Thich Nhat Hanh
It is said that God has created man in his own image. But it may be that humankind has created God in the image of humankind.

It is said that God has created man in his own image. But it may be that humankind has created God in the image of humankind.

Thich Nhat Hanh
My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.

Thich Nhat Hanh
It is my conviction that there is no way to peace - peace is the way.

It is my conviction that there is no way to peace - peace is the way.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.

Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

Thich Nhat Hanh
When you begin to see that your enemy is suffering, that is the beginning of insight.

When you begin to see that your enemy is suffering, that is the beginning of insight.

Thich Nhat Hanh
In true love, you attain freedom.

In true love, you attain freedom.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love.

If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Root out the violence in your life, and learn to live compassionately and mindfully. Seek peace. When you have peace within, real peace with others is possible.

Root out the violence in your life, and learn to live compassionately and mindfully. Seek peace. When you have peace within, real peace with others is possible.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth.

The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth.

Thich Nhat Hanh
We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.

We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.

If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.

Thich Nhat Hanh
At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.

At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Until there is peace between religions, there can be no peace in the world.

Until there is peace between religions, there can be no peace in the world.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Breathing in, there is only the present moment.
Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.

Breathing in, there is only the present moment. Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path.

Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path.

Thich Nhat Hanh
To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.

To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Each moment is a chance for us to make peace with the world, to make peace possible for the world, to make happiness possible for the world.

Each moment is a chance for us to make peace with the world, to make peace possible for the world, to make happiness possible for the world.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

Thich Nhat Hanh
In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

Thich Nhat Hanh
I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.

I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If your love is only a will to possess, its not love

If your love is only a will to possess, its not love

Thich Nhat Hanh
In mindfulness one is not only restful and happy, but alert and awake. Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.

In mindfulness one is not only restful and happy, but alert and awake. Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.

If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.

Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.

Thich Nhat Hanh
You are not an observer, you are a participant.

You are not an observer, you are a participant.

Thich Nhat Hanh
To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.

To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.

Thich Nhat Hanh
I would not look upon anger as something foreign to me that I have to fight... I have to deal with my anger with care, with love, with tenderness, with nonviolence.

I would not look upon anger as something foreign to me that I have to fight... I have to deal with my anger with care, with love, with tenderness, with nonviolence.

Thich Nhat Hanh
If we do not know how to take care of ourselves and to love ourselves, we cannot take care of the people we love. Loving oneself is the foundation for loving another person.

If we do not know how to take care of ourselves and to love ourselves, we cannot take care of the people we love. Loving oneself is the foundation for loving another person.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Those who are without compassion cannot see what is seen with the eyes of compassion.

Those who are without compassion cannot see what is seen with the eyes of compassion.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Only the present moment contains life.

Only the present moment contains life.

Thich Nhat Hanh
It is possible to live twenty-four hours a day in a state of love. Every movement, every glance, every thought, and every word can be infused with love.

It is possible to live twenty-four hours a day in a state of love. Every movement, every glance, every thought, and every word can be infused with love.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The fact is that when you make the other suffer, he will try to find relief by making you suffer more. The result is an escalation of suffering on both sides.

The fact is that when you make the other suffer, he will try to find relief by making you suffer more. The result is an escalation of suffering on both sides.

Thich Nhat Hanh
There is no enlightenment outside of daily life.

There is no enlightenment outside of daily life.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Anxiety, the illness of our time, comes primarily from our inability to dwell in the present moment.

Anxiety, the illness of our time, comes primarily from our inability to dwell in the present moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Being rich is an obstacle to loving. When you are rich, you want to continue to be rich, and so you end up devoting all your time, all your energy, in your daily life to stay rich.

Being rich is an obstacle to loving. When you are rich, you want to continue to be rich, and so you end up devoting all your time, all your energy, in your daily life to stay rich.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Guarding knowledge is not a good way to understand. Understanding means to throw away your knowledge.

Guarding knowledge is not a good way to understand. Understanding means to throw away your knowledge.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

Thich Nhat Hanh
As long as you find something beautiful, good, and true to believe in and abide by, you have the equivalent of God in your life.

As long as you find something beautiful, good, and true to believe in and abide by, you have the equivalent of God in your life.

Thich Nhat Hanh
A human being is like a television set with millions of channels.... We cannot let just one channel dominate us. We have the seed of everything in us, and we have to recover our own sovereignty.

A human being is like a television set with millions of channels.... We cannot let just one channel dominate us. We have the seed of everything in us, and we have to recover our own sovereignty.

Thich Nhat Hanh
When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?

When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?

Thich Nhat Hanh
If you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything.

If you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature.

Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature.

Thich Nhat Hanh
May our heart's garden of awakening bloom with hundreds of flowers.

May our heart's garden of awakening bloom with hundreds of flowers.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Your true home is in the here and the now.

Your true home is in the here and the now.

Thich Nhat Hanh
An oak tree is an oak tree. That is all it has to do. If an oak tree is less than an oak tree, then we are all in trouble.

An oak tree is an oak tree. That is all it has to do. If an oak tree is less than an oak tree, then we are all in trouble.

Thich Nhat Hanh
People suffer because they are caught in their views. As soon as we release those views, we are free and we don't suffer anymore.

People suffer because they are caught in their views. As soon as we release those views, we are free and we don't suffer anymore.

Thich Nhat Hanh
I have lost my smile,
but don't worry.
The dandelion has it.

I have lost my smile, but don't worry. The dandelion has it.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Happiness does not come from consumption of things.

Happiness does not come from consumption of things.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred.

Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred.

Thich Nhat Hanh
When our beliefs are based on our own direct experience of reality and not on notions offered by others, no one can remove these beliefs from us.

When our beliefs are based on our own direct experience of reality and not on notions offered by others, no one can remove these beliefs from us.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Sometimes it is better not to talk about art by using the word

Sometimes it is better not to talk about art by using the word "art". If we just act with awareness and integrity, our art will flower, and we don't have to talk about it at all.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Know that life can only be found in the present moment.

Know that life can only be found in the present moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Do not say that I'll depart tomorrow because even today I still arrive.

Do not say that I'll depart tomorrow because even today I still arrive.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice... No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you take or each breath in and breath out.

Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice... No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you take or each breath in and breath out.

Thich Nhat Hanh
The Three Kinds of Pride are: (1) thinking I am better than the other(s); (2) thinking I am worse than the other(s); and (3) thinking I am just as good as the other(s).

The Three Kinds of Pride are: (1) thinking I am better than the other(s); (2) thinking I am worse than the other(s); and (3) thinking I am just as good as the other(s).

Thich Nhat Hanh
We have to continue to learn. We have to be open. And we have to be ready to release our knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality.

We have to continue to learn. We have to be open. And we have to be ready to release our knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality.

Thich Nhat Hanh
You have to learn how to help a wounded child while still practicing mindful breathing. You should not allow yourself to get lost in action. Action should be meditation at the same time.

You have to learn how to help a wounded child while still practicing mindful breathing. You should not allow yourself to get lost in action. Action should be meditation at the same time.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Many people are alive but don't touch the miracle of being alive.

Many people are alive but don't touch the miracle of being alive.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Earth will be safe when we feel in us enough safety.

Earth will be safe when we feel in us enough safety.

Thich Nhat Hanh
I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath.

I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath.

Thich Nhat Hanh