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About this quote

What does it mean?
Every being contains divinity, but ignorance obscures it. Souls differ only in how much this ignorance covers them.
In plain terms
Everyone is divine inside, but ignorance hides it differently for each person.
What can you take from it?
Recognize the divine potential in yourself and others despite flaws.

Where it applies

  • self-reflection
  • conflict resolution
  • spiritual teaching

Putting it to work

  • meditation on self-worth
  • compassionate judgment
  • inner work

Questions to consider

  • What clouds hide your own light?
  • How do you see others?

Another view

It may overlook tangible differences in capability or circumstance between people.

More from Swami Vivekananda

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  2. We came to enjoy; we are being enjoyed. We came to rule; we are being ruled. We came to work; we are being worked. All the time, we find that. And this comes i…

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  3. Watch people do their most common actions; these are indeed the things that will tell you the real character of a great person.

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