Mark, therefore, the ordinary theory of practical religion, what it leads to. Charity is great, but the moment you say it is all, you run the risk of running into materialism. It is not religion. It is no better than atheism - a little less.

When the last moment arrives, praise and blame will be the same to you, to me, and to others. We are here to work, and will have to leave all when the call comes.

The essence of Vedanta is that there is but one Being and that every soul is that Being in full, not a part of that Being.

Each nation has a main current in life; in India it is religion. Make it strong and the waters on either side must move along with it.

Things do not grow better; they remain as they are. It is we who grow better, by the changes we make in ourselves.

Man is not mind, he is soul.

We say that if a temple, or a symbol, or an image helps you to realize the Divine within, you are welcome to it. Have two hundred images if you like. If certain forms and formulas help you to realize the Divine, God speed you; have, by all means, whatever forms, temples, whatever ceremonies you want to bring you nearer to God. But do not quarrel about them; the moment you quarrel, you are not going Godward, you are going backward towards the brutes.