The world outside can take away your health, it can take away your wealth, it can take away your relatives. But you’re the one who gives your right view and virtue away. The world can do nothing to destroy them.

"Right view teaches you that your actions are important, that you have to hold on to your actions no matter what’s happening outside. No matter what other people are doing, you make sure that your actions are skillful, and to that extent you’re safe.

That, of course, applies to your virtue as well. You think of all the ways in which you could harm yourself and harm others, and all the excuses you can give for doing those harmful acts, and you realize that if you give in to those excuses, you’ve sold away your most valuable possessions. You’re the one who squanders them. Because the world outside can take away your health, it can take away your wealth, it can take away your relatives. But you have to let it take away your right view, and let it take away your virtue.

You’re the one who gives these things away. You’re the one who smashes those treasures. If you don’t smash them, they’re in good shape. The world can do nothing to destroy them."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "A Refuge Bigger Than the World"

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