PLO: Uplifting Character is the first part of Venerable Thich Thanh Nghiem’s 108 Adages Of Wisdom

UPLIFTING CHARACTER

1. Our needs are few; our wants are many.
2. To be grateful and repay kindness—this is first; to benefit others is to benefit ourselves.
3. Devote wholehearted effort without calculating who does or gains more.
4. Kindness and compassion have no enemies; wisdom engenders no vexations.
5. The busy make the most of time; the diligent enjoy the best of health.
6. Those who give selflessly are blessed; those who do good deeds are happy.
7. Cultivate a big heart—but a small ego.
8. To take on anything, one must first be able to let go. One is truly free who can take on and let go of anything in peace.
9. Know yourself and others, and the ways of the world, so as to have a peaceful body and mind. Recognize, cherish, and nurture your blessings, and seize every chance to be of service.
10. For those who can take things on and let them go in peace, every year is an auspicious year. For those who can sow with wisdom the seeds of blessings, every day is a good day.
11. For those who can take things on and let them go in peace, every year is an auspicious year. For those who can sow with wisdom the seeds of blessings, every day is a good day.
12. Before you open your mouth to speak, think twice and chew your words carefully. The point is not to hold your peace, but to speak with discretion and prudence.
13. Try to cultivate this attitude in life: “If I can have what I want, that’s good; if I can’t, that’s fine too”. This will help us turn our suffering into joy, and live a happier life.
14. To uplift our character, begin with cultivating peace in mind, body, family, and activity.
15. In dealing with your heart’s desire, ask yourself these questions: Do I need it, or do I want it? Can I acquire it? Should I acquire it?
16. To get along with others, we must feel grateful for events that help us grow, feel thankful for chances to hone ourselves, reform ourselves through the Dharma, and inspire others through exemplary behavior.
17. When faced with any difficulty of life, resolve it by following these four steps: face it, accept it, deal with it, and then let it go.
18. To increase our blessings we need to recognize blessings, cherish blessings, nurture blessings, and sow the seeds of blessings.
19. Pursue only what you can and should acquire. Never pursue what you can’t and shouldn’t acquire.
20. Gratitude can make us grow, and the resolve to return favors can help us succeed.
21. Feel thankful for the chances to hone ourselves: both good and ill fortune are our benefactors.
22. When good things happen, we should rejoice in, praise, encourage, and then learn from them in modesty.
23. To criticize less and praise more is a good way to avoid creating negative karma of speech.
24. An ordinary mind is a mind of utmost freedom and unsurpassed joy.
25. A solid step forward speaks louder than a hundred empty, fair words.
26. The more weaknesses you discover in yourself, the faster you will develop, and the more self-confident you will be.
27. Keep your ears and eyes wide open, but mouth tight shut; be quick with your hands and legs, but slow to spend.
28. Only after encounters with hardships will one be roused to vigorous diligence.
29. Be a down-to-earth person with a broad mind; be a sure hand with piercing foresight.