Do certain quotations captivate you?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205280)
Walnut Creek, California
April 5, 2018 12:07pm CST
I'm not usually one for "memes" or "platitudes" that make life seem more simple than it is. But I admit to being captivated by a quotation I found somewhere (I have no idea where) that seems to correspond with things I had thought or said in the past. The quotation is as follows:
Question: How should we treat others?
Answer: There are no others.
The answer is generally attributed to Ramana Maharshi, a Hindu sage who lived from 1879 to 1950.
This quotation can be interpreted in several ways, I suppose, but it intrigues me. I think that Maharshi believed that we are all part of nature, and that our "selves" are transient summations of what we have learned from others. Similarly, we are constantly passing on to the next generation parts of what has been passed on to us from the previous.
Maharshi also said something similar to what one of my favorite psychology professors said to me: Life is a projective test. What we see in "others" is really a part of ourselves.
What's your take on Maharshi's simple response? Are there quotations that have stuck with/resonated with you over the years?
13 people like this
15 responses
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
5 Apr 18
Dear @TheHorse,
In your discussion...basically there is a question with an answer... which is as follows
Question: How should we treat others?
Answer: There are no others.
This can be interpreted in many ways....
1. There are no others just believe in you! Treat them accordingly!
2. There are no others...every one is uniqie so treat every one uniquely.
3. There is no others... all are are our own. Treat them accordingly!
Now it is up to you how to interpret dear friend! Please respond back I will be more than happy!
4 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
5 Apr 18
Yes they do and it gives me time to ponder about my life. Thank you, my friend. This is inspiring.
3 people like this
@crossbones27 (48402)
• Mojave, California
5 Apr 18
Hells yeah screw all that work. lol2 people like this
@TheHorse (205280)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Apr 18
@crossbones27 Hell with it. I'm going to Play Super Mario.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (48402)
• Mojave, California
5 Apr 18
Is that why I hate people so much. I kind of had the same feeling as this man\. Its all connected as some of us say. He is very wise and you did well to teach us. Wait, you are a teacher. Never mind does not count, J/K
I kind of had the same feeling as this man\. Its all connected as some of us say. He is very wise and you did well to teach us. Wait, you are a teacher. Never mind does not count, J/K2 people like this
@TheHorse (205280)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Apr 18
Heh heh. I'm scaring myself. It's too early in the morning for this sort of thing. Does "The Horse" not really exist? Am I really just a summation of my parents, my teachers, my friends, and all who have gone before them? Dang, I gotta eat something.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (48402)
• Mojave, California
5 Apr 18
@TheHorse Calm down Aristotle. It will be all OK once you get something to eat. I like picking on you, its fun.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205280)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Apr 18
@crossbones27 I had some leftover sushi (from last night). I'm OK now. My next post will be about something concrete, though not necessarily concrete.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
5 Apr 18
Well, this can go many ways, from complete self only to we are all one.
I am not so sure about seeing us in others because I can see evil in some people and in no way would I ever think or be like them. Or to over think it altogether, I could say I see their monster but I wont let my monster come out.
Yes I have a few and one I always like is, live and let live.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48890)
• United States
5 Apr 18
My mind is on overload at the moment
I'll have to think of one I like when my mind is more at peace
I'll have to think of one I like when my mind is more at peace1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
5 Apr 18
I think the term "others" also treats the other people as somewhat alien, as if they didn't have the same needs and feelings and wants as we do. It reduces people in our minds as somewhat "less than".
I could go on and on about Orientalism and colonialism and race and gender politics, but it could get lengthy.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205280)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Apr 18
@spiderdust I'm waiting. (drumming fingers on desk)
@TheHorse (205280)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Apr 18
@spiderdust Heh. I'm on break this week, but I spend part of most of my weekdays herding kittens. Heart of Darkness? The Horror!
1 person likes this
@MrsPumpkins (466)
• Philippines
6 Apr 18
Yes, that's why if i argue with someone, i don't point out those negative attributes of that person, because i am afraid that what i judge him for says a lot about me. I am not good in arguments, i just take things as it is.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
5 Apr 18
I think what Marharshi meant by this is "Treat others as you would treat yourself." After all, we are all ONE.
I like this one by Henry Ford;
"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, either way you are right."
:-)
1 person likes this
