“To listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs.”

That within us which seeks to know and to progress is not the mind but something behind it which makes use of it.

A great thing would be done if all these God-visions could embrace and cast themselves into each other; but intellectual dogma and cult egoism stand in the way.

Faith is the soul’s witness to something not yet manifested, achieved or realised, but which yet the Knower within us, even in the absence of all indications, feels to be true or supremely worth following or achieving.

The existence of poverty is the proof of an unjust and ill-organised society, and our public charities are but the first tardy awakening in the conscience of a robber.

If a religion is not universal, it cannot be eternal. A narrow religion, a sectarian religion, an exclusive religion can live only for a limited time and a limited purpose.

Witness and stand back from Nature, that is the first step to the soul’s freedom.

India saw from the beginning, – and, even in her ages of reason and her age of increasing ignorance, she never lost hold of the insight, – that life cannot be rightly seen in the sole light, cannot be perfectly lived in the sole power of its externalities.

The fly that touches honey cannot use it’s wings; so too the soul that clings to spiritual sweetness ruins it’s freedom and hinders contemplation.

What the soul sees and has experienced, that it knows; the rest is appearance, prejudice and opinion.

We are sons of God And must be even as he.

The all-embracing vast being which is there behind the play of the universe and with which you will have to identify yourself – for this is your true self.

When Reason died, then Wisdom was born.

The first principle of true teaching is that nothing can be taught.

Each victory gained over oneself means new strength to gain more victories.

Evolution of consciousness is the central motive of terrestrial existence.

When we have passed beyond knowings, then we shall have Knowledge.

I don’t really listen to rap; I just like to rap.

It’s not until recently that I could even imagine myself as an adult. But these kids today, they look at me like I’m Neil Young. Nirvana is the band their parents listen to.

I waited, quietly listened, cupped my ear to your mouth, but silence echoed grievously in the absence of sound. It was only warm breath and then emptiness.

Listening only to my instincts, I discovered superb things.

I ain’t never been the type of person out at the movies and holding hands and riding around listening to R. Kelly.

No. No. I don’t listen to anyone except my … inner child anyway. If someone had said to me, Amy, lose a stone which they wouldn’t – I don’t think I would have listened anyway.

Talk to someone about themselves and they’ll listen for hours.

Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.