ProverbMoralityInternational origin

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 German

  • German: Wohltun trägt Zinsen (literally: Doing good bears interest)

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Pain Actually means 'bread'. The hurting kind of pain is la douleur.
  • Coin Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.
  • Caldo Actually means 'hot' (or a hot broth). Cold is freddo.

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