If your mental attitude is positive, even when threats abound, you won’t lose your inner peace. On the other hand, if your mind is negative, marked by fear, suspicion and feelings of helplessness, even among your best friends, in a pleasant atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, you won’t be happy.

Overcoming negative tendencies and enhancing positive potential are the very essence of the spiritual path.

If we don't understand phenomena, we are more likely to do things to harm ourselves and others.

For Tibetans, the real strength of our struggle is truth - not size, money, or expertise. China is much bigger, richer, more powerful militarily, and has much better skill in diplomacy. They outdo us in every field. But they have no justice. We have placed our whole faith in truth and in justice. We have nothing else, in principle and in practice.

If our tears do not lead us to act then we have lost the reason of our humanity, which is compassion.

Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.

Learning to forgive is much more useful than merely picking up a stone and throwing it at the object of one's anger, the more so when the provocation is extreme. For it is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.