Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy about something if it cannot be remedied?
Shantideva (685 AD – 763 AD, India)
8th-century Indian philosopher, Buddhist monk
“This favorite quote is from the great Shantideva and is often quoted by the Dalai Lama. If something is going wrong and you can do something about it, why be frustrated and unhappy? Do it. If something is going wrong and you can’t do anything about it, why be frustrated and unhappy on top of not being able to do anything about it? It inspires me not to be freaked out. Whatever it is. Be happy, no matter what. When things are going wrong and if you can’t do anything about it, be happy anyway.”
Robert Thurman, Ph.D. is an eminent scholar of Asian and
Tibetan history and Buddhist art and sciences.
For over 50 years he has been a close student,
colleague and personal friend of the Dalai Lama.
He is co-creator of the graphic novel
Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet