The grandest idea in the religion of Vedanta is that we may reach the same goal by different paths; and these paths I have generalized into four, viz those of work, love, psychology, and knowledge.

Even the least work done for others awakens the power within; even thinking the least good of others gradually instills into the heart the strength of a lion. I love you all ever so much, but I wish you all to die working for others--I should rather be glad to see you do that!

Conversation with Priya Nath Sinha. Recorded in Bengali.

Be true to your mission. So far you have done well, do better and better still, go on and on. ... Do not fight with people. Do not antagonize anyone. ... Why should you mix in controversies? Bear with the various opinions of everybody. Patience, purity, and perseverance will prevail.

From USA, 1894. Letter to Alasinga.

Expand your hearts and hopes, as wide as the world. Study Sanskrit, especially the three bhāshyas [commentaries] on Vedanta. Be ready, for I have many plans for the future. Try to be a magnetic speaker. Electrify the people. Everything will come to you if you have faith.

Expand your hearts and hopes, as wide as the world. Study Sanskrit, especially the three bhāshyas [commentaries] on Vedanta. Be ready, for I have many plans for the future. Try to be a magnetic speaker. Electrify the people. Everything will come to you if you have faith.

Work in harmony. Be patient with everybody. Every one has my love. I am watching you. Onward! Onward! This is just the beginning.

From USA, 1894. Letter to Alasinga.

The calmer we are and the less disturbed our nerves, the more shall we love and the better will our work be.

Karma Yoga. New York, 1896.

We have to do only so much for the students that they may learn to apply their own intellect to the proper use of their hands, legs, ears, eyes, etc.--and finally everything will become easy. ... Our pedagogues are making parrots of their students and ruining their brains by cramming a lot of subjects into them.

Conversation with Priya Nath Sinha, Belur Math

I am writing no book on Hinduism just now. I am simply jotting down my thoughts. I do not know if I shall publish them. What is in books? The world is too full of foolish things already.

From USA, 1894. Letter to Alasinga.

Work in harmony. ... My children must be ready to jump into fire, if needed, to accomplish their work. Now work, work, work! We will stop and compare notes later on. Have patience, perseverance, and purity.

There is a God in this universe. It is not true that this universe is drifting and stands in need of help from you and me. God is ever present therein, He is undying and eternally active and infinitely watchful. When the whole universe sleeps, He sleeps not. He is working incessantly. All the changes and manifestations of the world are His.

We have to bear in mind that we are all debtors to the world and the world does not owe us anything. It is a great privilege for all of us to be allowed to do anything for the world. In helping the world we really help ourselves.

How would you define "true education"?

Vivekananda: I never define anything. Still, it may be described as a development of faculty, not an accumulation of words, or as a training of individuals to will rightly and efficiently. With that kind of education, we can produce great fearless women--women worthy to continue the traditions of Sanghamitta, Lila, Ahalya Bai, and Mira Bai--women fit to be mothers of heroes, because they are pure and selfless, strong with the strength that comes of touching the feet of God.

Interview in the Prabuddha Bharata. December 1898.

No one can teach anybody. The teacher spoils everything by thinking that he is teaching. Vedanta says that within us is all knowledge, and it requires only an awakening--and that much is the work of the teacher.

You need not worry or make yourself sleepless about the world. It will go on without you. When you have avoided fanaticism, then alone will you work well. It is the levelheaded and calm person, of good judgment and cool nerves, of great sympathy and love, who does good work and so does good to himself. The fanatic is foolish and has no sympathy; he can never straighten the world, nor himself become pure and perfect.

Do not try to be a ruler. He is the best ruler who can serve well. Be true unto death. The work we want--we do not seek wealth, name or fame. Be brave. ... Be perfectly unselfish, and you will be sure to succeed.

Do not try to be a ruler. He is the best ruler who can serve well. Be true unto death. The work we want--we do not seek wealth, name or fame. Be brave. ... Be perfectly unselfish, and you will be sure to succeed.

Everything will come to you if you put your shoulders to the wheel. ... Now, go to work!

From USA, 1894. Letter to Alasinga

Unless each note is given full play in every scale, all the science of music is marred. In painting, by keeping in touch with nature, you can make it as artistic as you like; there is no harm in doing that, and the result will be nothing but good. Similarly, in music, you can display any amount of skill by keeping to science, and it will be pleasing to the ear.