Rabindranath Tagore

Indian poet, Nobel laureate

Modern influential 95 sayings

Sayings by Rabindranath Tagore

The modern man is alienated from nature.

1931 — Essay, 'The Religion of Man'
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest truth is that which sets us free.

early 20th century — Various writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The modern world is a wilderness of concrete and steel.

1941 — Speech, 'Crisis in Civilization'
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest wisdom is to know oneself.

early 20th century — Various writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The modern man has lost his connection to the divine.

1931 — Essay, 'The Religion of Man'
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest joy is to give, not to receive.

early 20th century — Various writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The modern world is a trap of materialism.

1941 — Speech, 'Crisis in Civilization'
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest freedom is to be free from fear.

early 20th century — Various writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The small wisdom is like water in a glass: clear, transparent, pure. The great wisdom is like the water in the sea: dark, mysterious, impenetrable.

1928 — From "Fireflies"
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.

1916 — From "Stray Birds"
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The water in a vessel is sparkling; the water in the sea is dark. The small truth has words which are clear; the great truth has great silence.

1916 — From "Stray Birds"
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.

1916 — From "Fruit-Gathering"
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The fish in the water is silent, the animal on the earth is noisy, the bird in the air is singing. But Man has in him the silence of the sea, the noise of the earth and the music of the air.

1928 — From his collection 'Fireflies'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.

1916 — From his book 'Stray Birds'
Controversial Unverifiable

The roots below the earth claim no rewards for making the branches fruitful.

1916 — From his book 'Stray Birds'
Controversial Unverifiable