Swami Vivekananda Quotes with Meaning

Swami Vivekananda was one of the greatest spiritual masters India has produced. His life, teachings and messages have inspired millions through several generations. He was the fountainhead of wisdom and inspiration. He could ignite hearts with spiritual quest and also convey lofty thoughts in a lucid but powerful way. Here are a few select quotes of Swami Vivekananda that have become immortal and continue to ring in the hearts of people leading their journeys.

You are the product of your thoughts

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."

You become what you think

"Whatever you think, that you will be. If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong, strong you will be; if you think yourselves impure, impure you will be; if you think yourselves pure, pure you will be."

Perseverance is the key to success

"To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. 'I will drink the ocean', says the persevering soul, 'at my will mountains will crumble up.' Have that sort of energy, that sort of will, work hard, and you will reach the goal."

Have faith in yourself

"Let people say whatever they like, stick to your own convictions, and rest assured, the world will be at your feet. They say, 'Have faith in this fellow or that fellow', but, I say, 'Have faith in yourself first'. That's the way."

Purity is strength

"If you are pure, if you are strong, you, one man are equal to the whole world."

How the achieve your goal

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, and live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success; that is way great spiritual giants are produced.

Never worry about failures

Never mind the struggles, the mistakes. I never heard a cow tell a lie, but it is only a cow— never a man. So never mind these failures, these little backslidings; hold the ideal a thousand times, and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt once more.

What will thrust you forward

I want each one of my children to be a hundred times greater than I could ever be. Every one of you must be a giant— must, that is my word. Obedience, readiness, and love for the cause— if you have these three, nothing can hold you back.

I hate politics

I hate cowardice; I will have nothing to do with cowards or political nonsense. I do not believe in any politics. God and truth are the only politics in the world, everything else is trash.

Be unselfish and humble

Do not be afraid of a small beginning. Great things come afterwards. Be courageous. Do not try to lead your brethren, but serve them. The brutal mania for leading has sunk many a great ships in the waters of life. Take care especially of that, i.e. be unselfish even unto death, and work

Be strong and practical

Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you. I know where the shoe pinches.

Manifest the power in you

Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries. Believe this, and that power will be manifested.

Depend on yourself

Be free; hope for nothing from anyone. I am sure if you look back upon your lives you will find that you were always vainly trying to get help from others which never came.

3 Golden rules of life

Who is helping you, don’t forget them.

Who is loving you, don’t hate them.

Who is believing you, don’t cheat them.

Talk to yourself

Talk to yourself at least once in a day. Otherwise you may miss a meeting with an EXCELLENT person in this world…

Contemplate on high ideals

Fill the brain with high thoughts, highest ideals, place them day and night before you and out of that will come great work.