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For centuries we have been spoon-fed by our teachers, by our authorities, by our books, our saints. We say, 'Tell me all about it-what lies beyond the hills and the mountains and the earth?' and we are satisfied with their descriptions, which means that we live on words and our life is shallow and empty. We are secondhand people. We have lived on what we have been told, either guided by our inclinations, our tendencies, or compelled to accept by circumstances and environment. We are the result of all kinds of influences and there is nothing new in us, nothing that we have discovered for ourselves; nothing original, pristine, clear.

Jiddu Krishnamurti#15

TruthAuthorityIndividualityInfluenceKnowledgeLearningOriginality

About this quote

What does it mean?
Living entirely on inherited knowledge and secondhand stories leads to a shallow, unoriginal life.
In plain terms
Don't live only on what others tell you.
What can you take from it?
Discover things for yourself to avoid living a shallow life.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • self-development
  • spiritual growth

Putting it to work

  • question authorities
  • explore independently
  • verify experiences

Questions to consider

  • What have you accepted without testing?
  • What did you discover alone?

Another view

Some knowledge must be learned from others.

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