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)

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