To transform the world, we must begin with ourselves; and what is important in beginning with ourselves is the intention. The intention must be to understand ourselves, and not to leave it to others to transform themselves… This is our responsibility, yours and mine; because, however small may be the world we live in,… if we can bring about a radically different point of view in our daily existence, then perhaps we shall affect the world at large.

—Jiddu Krishnamurti

About Jiddu Krishnamurti

Portrait of Jiddu Krishnamurti

Jiddu Krishnamurti (pronounced /ˈdʒɪduː ˌkrɪʃnəˈmʊərti/ ; 11 May 1895 – 17 February 1986) was an Indian spiritual figure, speaker, and writer. Adopted by members of the Theosophical Society as a child, Krishnamurti was raised to fill the mantle of the prophesied World Teacher, a role tasked with aiding humankind's spiritual...

More quotations from Jiddu Krishnamurti

Ideals are a curse because they prevent you from thinking directly, simply and truly, when you are faced with facts. The ideal, the what should be, is an escape from what is. The what is is the fact that you are afraid—afraid of what your parents will say, of what people will think, afraid of society, afraid of disease, death; and if you face what is, look at it, go into it even though it brings you misery, and understand it, then you will find that your mind becomes extraordinarily simple, clear; and in that very clarity there is the cessation of fear.

—Jiddu Krishnamurti in Think on These Things

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    Previous wording
    To transform the world, we must begin with ourselves; and what is important in beginning with ourselves is the intention. The intention must be to understand ourselves, and not to leave it to others to transform themselves . . . This is our responsibility, yours and mine; because, however small may be the world we live in, . . . if we can bring about a radically different point of view in our daily existence, then perhaps we shall affect the world at large.