Home › Proverbs

If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path

Meaning: Helping others ultimately benefits yourself as well.

Origin: Buddhist teaching found in the Bodhicaryavatara, also reflected in Confucian philosophy.

Translations

  • 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)

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.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…