A man is truly free, even here in this embodied state, if he knows that God is the true agent and he by himself is powerless to do anything.
Ramakrishna

Bondage is of the mind; freedom too is of the mind. If you say 'I am a free soul. I am a son of God who can bind me' free you shall be.
Ramakrishna

Disease is the tax which the soul pays for the body, as the tenant pays house-rent for the use of the house.
Ramakrishna

God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole.
Ramakrishna

God is everywhere but He is most manifest in man. So serve man as God. That is as good as worshipping God.
Ramakrishna

God is in all men, but all men are not in God; that is why we suffer.
Ramakrishna

If you desire to be pure, have firm faith, and slowly go on with your devotional practices without wasting your energy in useless scriptural discussions and arguments. Your little brain will otherwise be muddled.
Ramakrishna

If you first fortify yourself with the true knowledge of the Universal Self, and then live in the midst of wealth and worldliness, surely they will in no way affect you.
Ramakrishna

If you must be mad, be it not for the things of the world. Be mad with the love of God.
Ramakrishna

If you want to go east, don't go west.
Ramakrishna


It is easy to talk on religion, but difficult to practice it.
Ramakrishna

Longing is like the rosy dawn. After the dawn out comes the sun. Longing is followed by the vision of God.
Ramakrishna

Many are the names of God and infinite the forms through which He may be approached.
Ramakrishna

Many good sayings are to be found in holy books, but merely reading them will not make one religious.
Ramakrishna

More are the names of God and infinite are the forms through which He may be approached. In whatever name and form you worship Him, through them you will realise Him.
Ramakrishna

One must be very particular about telling the truth. Through truth one can realize God.
Ramakrishna

Pray to God that your attachment to such transitory things as wealth, name, and creature comforts may become less and less every day.
Ramakrishna

The fabled musk deer searches the world over for the source of the scent which comes from itself.
Ramakrishna

The physicians of one class feel the patients and go away, merely prescribing medicine. As they leave the room they simply ask the patient to take the medicine. They are the poorest class of physicians.
Ramakrishna

The world is indeed a mixture of truth and make-believe. Discard the make-believe and take the truth.
Ramakrishna