Maxim
Craving is the root of suffering.
“The noble truth of the origination of stress: the craving that makes for further becoming.”
Buddhism · Ancient (before 200 BCE)
Translation: Thanissaro Bhikkhu (free distribution)
Much of our pain comes not from what happens, but from our grasping for things to be otherwise. Loosen the grip and the weight lightens.
Related expressions
“From lust comes grief, from lust comes fear; he who is free from lust knows neither grief nor fear.”
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
“Desire’s a contract you make to be unhappy until you get what you want.”
— Naval Ravikant, Naval podcast, “Desire Is a Contract You Make to Be Unhappy” (10 Feb 2020), episode transcript on nav.alEchoes The Buddha, SN 56.11: craving as the origin of suffering (stress)Watch on YouTube: Desire Is a Contract You Make to Be Unhappy (Naval) ↗Naval Ravikant discusses this ideaWatch on YouTube: Naval Ravikant with Chris Williamson ↗Naval Ravikant discusses this idea (Modern Wisdom)“If one Ponders on objects of the sense, there springs Attraction; from attraction grows desire, Desire flames to fierce passion, passion breeds Recklessness; then the memory--all betrayed-- Lets noble purpose go, and saps the mind, Till purpose, mind, and man are all undone.”
Score
Moral Rank 66.9 · Evidence E = 14.97
E = ln(1+3.38) + √2.47 + 3·2.47 + 1.5·3 = 14.97