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10 quotes by Swami Vivekanand that continue to inspire us even today!

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Jan 12, 2021, 11:22 IST
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Swami Vivekananda

One of the greatest spiritual leaders of India, Swami Vivekananda is credited with bringing the glory of the Hindu philosophy to the global platform.

Born on January 12, 1863, as Narendra Nath Datta in Kolkata into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family, he became a deciple of the famed saint of Dakshineshwar, Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa. He renounced worldly pleasures and became a sanyasi, not to roam aimlessly, but for the service of humanity. Swami Vivekanada was a key figure for introducing the Indian Vendanta and philosophies of Yoga to the world which put India on the world's spiritual map. It was his famous speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, 1893 that forever changed the way the world looked at India.

Founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission, Vivekananda not only revived our ancient heritage, but also, enlightened and awakened people's religious consciousness and worked for uplifting the downtrodden. He is also credited for raising inter-faith awareness, reviving Hinduism and contributing to the idea of nationalism in India in the 19th century.

Remembering the great saint Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary today, we share some of his timeless quotes here which are pertinent even today.


(Photo: Wikipedia)

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On being true to oneself

“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”

― Swami Vivekananda
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On life and death

“Strength is Life, Weakness is Death.

Expansion is Life, Contraction is Death.

Love is Life, Hatred is Death.”

― Swami Vivekananda“Strength is Life, Weakness is Death.

Expansion is Life, Contraction is Death.

Love is Life, Hatred is Death.”

― Swami Vivekananda
4/11

On self reflection

"Talk to yourself once in a day, otherwise you may miss meeting an intelligent person in this world."

― Swami Vivekananda
5/11

On choosing your words carefully

"Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true."

― Swami Vivekananda
6/11

On true happiness

“The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful.”

― Swami Vivekananda
7/11

On hurdles and progress

“In a day, when you don't come across any problems - you can be sure that you are travelling in a wrong path”

― Swami Vivekananda
8/11

On following the heart

“In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart. ”

― Swami Vivekananda
9/11

On passionately chasing your dream

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, 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, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced.”

― Swami Vivekananda
10/11

On the path to success

"Be the servant while leading. Be unselfish. Have infinite patience, and success is yours."
― Swami Vivekananda
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On spiritual growth

“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
― Swami Vivekananda
Top Comment
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Sanjiv Pegu
1988 days ago
Very nice
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Copyright © May 12, 2026, 05.11AM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service