If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path
Meaning: Helping others ultimately benefits yourself as well.
Origin: Often posted as a saying of the Buddha, but these words are not found in the Buddhist scriptures. A similar image does appear in Buddhist teaching on generosity: giving food to others improves one's own lot, just as lighting a fire for others brightens one's own way.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Si tu allumes une lampe pour quelqu'un, elle illuminera aussi ton propre chemin (literally: If you light a lamp for someone, it will also light your own path)
- Spanish: Si enciendes una lámpara para alguien, también iluminará tu propio camino (literally: If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path)
- Japanese: 他人のために灯明を灯せば、自分の道も明るくなる (Tanin no tame ni tōmyō wo tomosereba, jibun no michi mo akaruku naru) (literally: If you light a lamp for others, your own path will also be brightened)
- German: Wohltun trägt Zinsen (literally: Doing good bears interest)
More proverbs about Morality
- There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience — Peace of mind and restful sleep come only from living and acting honorably.
- The more laws, the less justice — Excessive rules and regulations can undermine rather than promote fairness.
- Know thyself — Self-knowledge and self-awareness are the foundation of all wisdom and right living.
- Waste not, want not — Using things carefully and avoiding waste prevents future need and scarcity.
- Let the punishment fit the crime — Penalties should be proportional and appropriate to the offense committed.
- He who permits wickedness commands it — Silently allowing wrongdoing makes you as responsible as the wrongdoer.