Controversial Sayings

16,584 sayings found

In the beginning, these two spiritualities, which are twins, were perceived in a vision by the righteous. The better and the bad have been said to be thought, word, and deed, and between these two the wise have chosen rightly, not the unwise.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

The demonic powers or daævás are expressions or faces (čithr) of aká manah or 'beaten/anguished mind.'

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

Evil is connected to lie or drûj. The Avestan word drûj means literally 'a tangle of trickery, deceit and lies.' Evil is what is not original and real.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

When the spirit/mind or sensuous force wishes not to rise and ascend, as it is true and original to its nature, evil and gloom ensue.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

A gentle hand can lead even an elephant by a hair. Reply to thine enemy with gentleness.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

When we are in doubt whether an action is good or bad, abstain from it.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

If one would have a friend, then must one also be willing to wage war for him: and in order to wage war, one must be capable of being an enemy.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

Beware of lust; it corrupteth both the body and the mind.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

Satisfaction linked with dishonor or with harm to others is a prison for the seeker.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

The one who follows the destructive impulse is referred to as “deceitful”; the one who follows the beneficial impulse is “the upholder of cosmic order, righteous.”

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

Good and evil are so real that humans are to partake in this cosmic battle by selecting sides.

— Zoroaster c. 1500-1200 BCE (approximate)
Controversial

Why call her inferior, who gives birth to kings?

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

The lowest among the low castes, lower than the lowliest, Nanak is with them: He envies not those with worldly greatness.

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

The Dhoop (burnt incense), lamps and the Naivaed (an offering of eatables presented to deity or idol. All of them become false) by smell. (Then, O Rabb!) If Your Poojaa can be done only with these things, then by placing these false things before You…

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

If we worship stone idols of gods and goddesses (or any other kind of idol for that matter), they can't give anything, (so) I don't ask anything from them. Their Poojaa is like churning water and hoping for butter! (These idols) sink themselves in wa…

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

One stone is lovingly decorated as a deity, while another stone is walked upon. If one is a god, then the other must also be a god. Namdev says I am not going to worship a stone installed as god. I worship One God who cannot be installed but permeate…

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

Hindus are getting Spiritually ruined by worshiping their idols all life and the Muslims by bowing their heads towards Mecca (believing that God exists only in Mecca); but both do not understand/realize YOUR true state.

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

Without genuine understanding, observing (Clergy-concocted) fasting, religious rituals and daily Poojaa lead only to the love of duality.

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

Make mercy your mosque and devotion your prayer mat.

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial

Bathing in holy rivers alone cannot wash away sins of injustice and greed; the most important thing is not ritual purity, but purity of words and deeds.

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century
Controversial