Every moment of my life I realize that silence is the best speech. If you must speak, speak as little as possible. Avoid using two words if one suffices.

When little things upset us, let us understand that there is attachment lurking somewhere. We should find it and banish it. It is a delusion to think that we remain upright in big things, for there we are under compulsion. Surely, that cannot pass for uprightness.

On such occasions the verse to remember is : Contacts of the senses with their objects come and go. Endure them . . .1

Whatever one does, one must do well or not at all. The truth of this one observes every day. Today it was especially borne in upon me. It was Bas death anniversary, and so there was the usual Gita recitation. But there was no life in it.

A wrong ceases to be a wrong only when it is righted. If suppressed, it erupts like a boil and assumes a dangerous form.

Man rises by realizing the true nature of the Self, by meditating thereon and by following its virtues. A contrary course of action leads to his downfall.

What is patience? Shankaracharya says : Sit by the seashore and take one drop of water on a blade of grass. If you have enough patience, and there is a place near by wherein that drop can be stored, you may in time empty the ocean of all its water. This is an illustration of almost perfect patience.

He who has not in him infinite patience cannot observe nonviolence.

What is the difference between a snake and a human being? Apparently a snake crawls on its belly, while man walks erect on his feet. Things are, however, not what they seem to be. For what about the man who mentally crawls on his belly?

Every day I see the importance of silence. It is good for all, but for him who is deeply absorbed in work, silence is indeed golden.