Guru Quotes Quotes

“Anger has great strength,
but no brains.
Greed has many hands,
but no heart.
Fear has many titles,
but no honor.
Hatred has many forms,
but no soul.

Desire has great strength,
but no brains.
Agony has many hands,
but no heart.
Shame has many titles,
but no honor.
Ego has many forms,
but no soul.

Envy has great strength,
but no brains.
Malice has many hands,
but no heart.
Lust has many titles,
but no honor.
Evil has many forms,
but no soul.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“If you have no one, you are poor; if you have an acquaintance, you are fortunate; if you have a friend, you are privileged; if you have a lover, you are rich; if you have a soulmate, you are wealthy.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“It is impossible for light not to get noticed, especially in the dark.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“The ignorant learn from none,
the simple learn from some,
the intelligent learn from many,
but enlightened learn from all.

The arrogant learn from none,
the gracious learn from some,
the patient learn from many,
but the humble learn from all.

The disinterested learn from none,
the curious learn from some,
the keen learn from many,
but the disciplined learn from all.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“I am injustice,” said tyranny.
“I am lawlessness,” said corruption.
“I am inequality,” said bigotry.
“I am intolerance,” said racism.
“I am destruction,” said immorality.

“I am independence,” said freedom.
“I am fairness,” said justice.
“I am humanity,” said compassion.
“I am tolerance,” said understanding.
“I am restoration,” said goodness.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“If roses tried to be sunflowers, they would lose their beauty; and if sunflowers tried to be roses, they would lose their strength.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“When I see memories, I see the past.
When I see thoughts, I see the present.
When I see intentions, I see the future.

When I see regret, I see the past.
When I see hope, I see the present.
When I see expectation, I see the future.

When I see habits, I see the past.
When I see actions, I see the present.
When I see character, I see the future.

When I see karma, I see the past.
When I see chance, I see the present.
When I see destiny, I see the future.

When I see knowledge, I see the past.
When I see understanding, I see the present.
When I see wisdom, I see the future.

When I see elders, I see the past.
When I see adults, I see the present.
When I see children, I see the future.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“A flower does not use words to announce its arrival to the world; it just blooms.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Thunder roars but does not strike. Lightning strikes but does not roar. Choose to be lightning.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“If they hate your race,
pardon them.
If they hate your religion,
enlighten them.
If they hate your gender,
admonish them.
If they hate your class,
avoid them.
If they hate your politics,
debate them.

If they hate your culture,
question them.
If they hate your tribe,
confront them.
If they hate your ancestry,
defy them.
If they hate your age,
outshine them.
If they hate your appearance,
disregard them.

If they love you for your knowledge,
teach them.
If they love you for your wisdom,
counsel them.
If they love you for your understanding,
instruct them.
If they love you for your intuition,
guide them.
If they love you for your excellence,
inspire them.

If they love you for your humility,
honor them.
If they love you for your compassion,
welcome them.
If they love you for your honesty,
value them.
If they love you for your kindness,
treasure them.
If they love you for your virtue,
cherish them.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Dream like a child. Reason like an elder. Play like a youth. Work like an adult.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“When I was young, I wanted power.
Now that I'm old, I want peace.
When I was young, I wanted titles.
Now that I'm old, I want contentment.
When I was young, I wanted money.
Now that I'm old, I want happiness.
When I was young, I wanted excitement.
Now that I'm old, I want calm.
When I was young, I wanted praise.
Now that I'm old, I want respect.

When I was young, I wanted houses.
Now that I'm old, I want fulfillment.
When I was young, I wanted cars.
Now that I'm old, I want satisfaction.
When I was young, I wanted possessions.
Now that I'm old, I want experiences.
When I was young, I wanted medals.
Now that I'm old, I want mastery.
When I was young, I wanted lackeys.
Now that I'm old, I want companions.

When I was young, I wanted amusement.
Now that I'm old, I want rest.
When I was young, I wanted beauty.
Now that I'm old, I want substance.
When I was young, I wanted fame.
Now that I'm old, I want legacy.
When I was young, I wanted command.
Now that I'm old, I want freedom.
When I was young, I wanted authority.
Now that I'm old, I want influence.

When I was young, I wanted reputation.
Now that I'm old, I want character.
When I was young, I wanted treasure.
Now that I'm old, I want truth.
When I was young, I wanted confidence.
Now that I'm old, I want conviction.
When I was young, I wanted lovers.
Now that I'm old, I want friends.
When I was young, I wanted excess.
Now that I'm old, I want joy.

When I was young, I wanted degrees.
Now that I'm old, I want wisdom.
When I was young, I wanted university.
Now that I'm old, I want nature.
When I was young, I wanted prominence.
Now that I'm old, I want humanity.
When I was young, I wanted accomplishment.
Now that I'm old, I want laughter.
When I was young, I wanted greatness.
Now that I'm old, I want health.

When I was young, I wanted resources.
Now that I'm old, I want strategies.
When I was young, I wanted contacts.
Now that I'm old, I want competence.
When I was young, I wanted followers.
Now that I'm old, I want students.
When I was young, I wanted crowds.
Now that I'm old, I want intimacy.
When I was young, I wanted empires.
Now that I'm old, I want dignity.

When I was young, I wanted honor.
Now that I'm old, I want integrity.
When I was young, I wanted popularity.
Now that I'm old, I want loyalty.
When I was young, I wanted lovers.
Now that I'm old, I want children.
When I was young, I wanted strength.
Now that I'm old, I want youth.
When I was young, I wanted life.
Now that I'm old, I want Heaven.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Your mind shines brightest when you enlighten others; your heart, when you encourage others; your soul, when you elevate others; and your life, when you empower others.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“When you meet young people,
inspire them.
When you meet old people,
honor them.
When you meet wise people,
study them.
When you meet foolish people,
avoid them.

When you meet humble people,
treasure them.
When you meet arrogant people,
ignore them.
When you meet gracious people,
emulate them.
When you meet crude people,
disregard them.

When you meet brave people,
support them.
When you meet cowardly people,
encourage them.
When you meet strong people,
follow them.
When you meet weak people,
toughen them.

When you meet kind people,
esteem them.
When you meet cruel people,
oppose them.
When you meet virtuous people,
reward them.
When you meet evil people,
evade them.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“For me to heal,
I need you to heal.
For me to trust,
I need you to trust.
For me to be strong,
I need you to be strong.

For me to gain,
I need you to gain.
For me to win,
I need you to win.
For me to rise,
I need you to rise.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“It is easier to teach saints than to learn from sinners.
It is easier to teach young students than to guide old fools.
It is easier to chastise saints than to caution sinners.
It is easier to shine in the dark than to glow in the light.
It is easier to multiply enemies than to accumulate friends.
It is easier to embrace your angel than to face your demons.
It is easier to fight an army of opinions than a single truth.
It is easier to rise with enemies than to fall with friends.
It is easier to fall into sin than to rise into virtue.
It is easier to rise from defeat than to rise from ignorance.
It is easier to survive a blow from a friend than a kiss from an enemy.
It is easier to conquer a thousand devils than a single angel.
It is easier to rise from love than to soar from hate.
It is easier to move mountains by faith than hills by your hands.
It is easier for stars to shine than for truth to glow.
It is easier to resist pain than to defy pleasure.
It is easier to appease the strong than to wrestle the mighty.
It is easier to tame the mind than to bridle the soul.
It is easier to fight an army than to grapple with your conscience.
It is easier to embrace the future than to understand the past.
It is easier for the sun to shine than for the moon to glow.
It is easier for small seeds to rise than for big trees to grow.
It is easier to heal a wounded heart than a broken soul.
It is easier to rule the mind than to conquer the soul.
It is easier to conquer your enemies than to master your fears.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“I am fortitude,” said faith.
“I am contentment,” said peace.
“I am delight,” said joy.
“I am goodness,” said virtue.
“I am God,” said love.

“I am truth,” said knowledge.
“I am sight,” said understanding.
“I am perception,” said intelligence.
“I am prudence,” said wisdom.
“I am awareness,” said enlightenment.

“I am success,” said excellence.
“I am mastery,” said discipline.
“I am persistence,” said focus.
“I am influence,” said action.
“I am character,” said destiny.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Teach the ignorant.
Study the wise.
Avoid the foolish.
Embrace the enlightened.

Conquer your vices.
Exploit your virtues.
Release your vices.
Embrace your higher self.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“I was taught by family at ten.
I was taught by books at twenty.
I was taught by enemies at thirty.
I was taught by nature at forty.
I was taught by life at fifty.

At ten, I was foolish.
At twenty, I was naïve.
At thirty, I was alert.
At forty, I was experienced.
At fifty, I was wise.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“The path to ignorance is wide.
The path to shallowness is smooth.
The path to understanding is bumpy.
The path to wisdom is narrow.
The path to ignorance is steep.

The path to vice is wide.
The path to pleasure is smooth.
The path to integrity is bumpy.
The path to innocence is narrow.
The path to paradise is steep.

The path to fear is wide.
The path to assurance is smooth.
The path to hope is bumpy.
The path to valor is narrow.
The path to faith is steep.

The path to sorrow is wide.
The path to desire is smooth.
The path to patience is bumpy.
The path to gratitude is narrow.
The path to humility is steep.

The path to strife is wide.
The path to indifference is smooth.
The path to peace is bumpy.
The path to joy is narrow.
The path to harmony is steep.

The path to error is wide.
The path to delusion is smooth.
The path to discovery is bumpy.
The path to truth is narrow.
The path to certainty is steep.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Be noble like the sun; let even those who resent you for shinning benefit from your warmth.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“True wisdom is like an ocean; the deeper you go the greater the treasures you'll find.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Justice is the gateway to peace.
Education is the gateway to equality.
Patience is the gateway to tolerance.
Compassion is the gateway to mercy.

Certainty is the gateway to assurance.
Hope is the gateway to courage.
Contentment is the gateway to happiness.
Integrity is the gateway to virtue.

Need is the gateway to want.
Laughter is the gateway to health.
Pleasure is the gateway to enjoyment.
Love is the gateway to joy.

Life is the gateway to death.
Reality is the gateway to truth.
Harmony is the gateway to order.
Time is the gateway to eternity.

Intelligence is the gateway to wisdom.
Focus is the gateway to determination.
Insight is the gateway to understanding.
Knowledge is the gateway to enlightenment.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“A rainbow is not afraid of showing its true colors because it knows it is beautiful inside out.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“It is easier to pluck a flower than to nurture it; which is why some would prefer to destroy your talents than nurture them.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“There is a fine line between:
ego and confidence,
weakness and cowardice,
piety and self-righteousness,
lust and infatuation,
patience and procrastination,
contentment and apathy,
fear and hatred,
greed and ambition,
sin and pleasure,
want and need,
and hope and delusion.

There is also a fine line between:
sleep and death,
rest and idleness,
envy and desire,
noise and music,
sight and blindness,
respect and idolatry,
poverty and crime,
corruption and equality,
tyranny and despair,
religion and exploitation,
and freewill and destiny.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Guilt is born in shame.
Error is born in speculation.
Chaos is born in confusion.
Anger is born in bitterness.
Wrath is born in rage.
Fear is born in mistrust.
Violence is born in intolerance.
Evil is born in ignorance.
Death is born in sin.

Want is born in need.
Mercy is born in compassion.
Peace is born in contentment.
Hope is born in confidence.
Meekness is born in strength.
Patience is born in long-suffering.
Integrity is born in goodness.
Decency is born in dignity.
Joy is born in love.

Fate is born in time.
Chance is born in fate.
Motion is born in rest.
Force is born in acceleration.
Distance is born in separation.
Curiosity is born in observation.
Consciousness is born in awareness.
Perception is born in understanding.
Reason is born in clarity.

Matter is born in space.
Light is born in darkness.
Sound is born in silence.
Wind is born in stillness.
Heat is born in motion.
Nature is born in chaos.
Harmony is born in confusion.
Energy is born in God.
Experience is born in time.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Before I had a car, I had feet.
Before I had a telephone, I had prayer.
Before I had a degree, I had commonsense.
Before I had a diploma, I had curiosity.
Before I had knowledge, I had an opinion.
Before I had a reputation, I had a character.
Before I had a bodyguard, I had a friend.
Before I had a wife, I had a mother.
Before I had a son, I had a father.
Before I had a body, I had a mind.
Before I had a brain, I had a soul.
Before I had a memory, I had an experience.
Before I had a lifetime, I had a moment.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Jealousy says, “Compete with each other.” Envy says, “Destroy each other.” Empathy says, “Help each other.” Love says, “Empower each other.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“The weak forgive none,
the strong forgive some,
the great forgive many,
and the enlightened forgive all.

Trust unites,
fear divides,
mercy heals,
and love conquers.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo