Do Not Believe

600 B.C.

And When to Believe

Gautama Buddha

Only when it feels right, is reasonable, and benefits all, should one believe.

Do not believe in what you have heard;

Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations;

Do not believe anything because it is rumored and spoken of by many;

Do not believe merely because the written statements of some old sage are produced;

Do not believe in conjectures; do not believe in that as a truth to which you have become attached by habit;

Do not believe merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.

After observation and analysis,

when it agrees with reason

and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all,

then accept it and live up to it.

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