The individual “I” exists as long as there is desire for pleasure. (Maharamayana)

The touchstone which discloses a man’s greatness or smallness is simply this – his deeds. (Tirukkural 51:504-505)

Truth is no theory, no speculative system of philosophy, no intellectual insight. Truth is exact correspondence with reality. For man, truth is the unshakeable knowledge of his real nature, the Self. (Paramahansa Yogananda)

The bonds that good men share, like good bound books, reveal new enjoyments at each new encounter. (Tirukkural 79:783)

As the intense fire of the furnace refines gold to brilliancy, so does the burning suffering of austerity purify the soul to resplendence. (Tirukkural 27:267)

The object of friendship is not merrymaking, but a stern rebuking when friends go astray. (Tirukkural 79:784)

There is nothing too difficult for a man who, before he acts, deliberates with chosen friends and reflects privately. (Tirukkural 47:462)

An intimate of any strength will never listen to faults said of friends; and on the day a friend offends, he is content to keep silent. (Tirukkural 81:808)

The ruinous grief that he is yet to suffer will not cleave to him who, renouncing other supports, realizes life’s true support. (Tirukkural 36:359)

Friendship is not seen on a friendly face, but felt deep within a friendly heart. (Tirukkural 79:786)

Desire, detesting and delusion – the annihilation of these three names is the annihilation of suffering endured. (Tirukkural 36:360)

It is not constant meeting and companionship but mutual sensibilities that confer the alliance of friendship (Tirukkural 79:785)

Before advancing against men weaker than yourself, ponder when you stood before those more powerful. (Tirukkural 25:250)

The world cherishes faithful men who never forsake old friendship, worn by time but unbroken. (Tirukkural 81:809)

As a flawless crystal absorbs what is placed before it, so the settled mind is transparent to whatever it meets – the seer, the process of seeing, or the object seen. (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:41)

The mind becomes clear and serene when the qualities of the heart are cultivated: friendliness toward the joyful, compassion toward the suffering, happiness toward the pure, and impartiality toward the impure. (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1:33)

Penance is that goodness which refrains from killing. Perfection is that goodness which refuses to tell other’s faults. Humility is the strength of the strong and the weapon with which the wise conquer their foes. (Tirukkural 99:984-985)

Illness is not cured by saying the word “medicine”, but by taking medicine. Enlightenment is not achieved by repeating the word “God” but by directly experiencing God. (Sankara)

Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on the silence? (Sai Baba)

Though unjustly aggrieved, it is best to suffer the suffering, And refrain from unrighteous retaliation. (Tirukkural 16:158)

Let a man conquer by forbearance, those who in their arrogance have wronged him” (Tirukkural 16:159)