Can we rely on Buddha's quotes found on internet?

score:2

Accepted answer

On the same site -- http://fakebuddhaquotes.com/better-than-a-thousand-hollow-words-is-one-word-that-brings-peace/ -- the author identifies the second quote as a slightly inaccurate or poetic translation of the 100th verse of the Dhammapada:

Sahassamapi ce vaca
anatthapadasamhita
ekam atthapadam seyyo
yam sutva upasammati.

  1. Better than a thousand words that are senseless and unconnected with the realization of Nibbana, is a single word of sense, if on hearing it one is calmed.

That too is not a literal translation into English -- http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/index.php says they refer to the commentary if the literal meaning is vague or unintelligible or perplexing -- they added to the translation the phrase "unconnected with the realization of Nibbana" to clarify the difference between what they called senseless and sensible, i.e. between anattha­pada­saṃhitā and atthapadam.

Here is maybe a more literal translation:

  1. Better than a thousand useless words is one useful word, hearing which one attains peace.

Note that's close to the version you quoted in the OP (it's so close that I don't see why what you quoted is listed as a "fake" quote, instead of being listed among the "real" quotes).

If you still don't understand it, I recommend the commentary/story which accompanies each verse (see here), and/or reading the whole chapter of the Dhammapada (see here).

Upvote:0

Does it really even matter who wrote them? If it works for you great, if not then ignore it. As far as I know The Buddha never meant for his teachings to turn into a religion which people blindly follow. The same can be said about Jesus. Take what resonates as truth for you and avoid becoming a sheeple.

Upvote:1

In addition to http://fakebuddhaquotes.com/ there is also http://www.realbuddhaquotes.com/ which claim the quotes are verified. You can get inspired by the real thing.

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