Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and devotion, benevolence, control of the senses, worship, study of scriptures, austerity, uprightness;
(BG 16.1)
My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.
— Swami Vivekananda (CW, 7:501)
Non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquillity, aversion to slander, compassion to living beings, freedom from sensuality, gentleness, modesty, steadfastness;
(BG 16.2)
This is the one question I put to every man, woman, or child, when they are in physical, mental, or spiritual training. Are you strong? Do you feel strength?—for I know it is truth alone that gives strength. I know that truth alone gives life, and nothing but going towards reality will make us strong, and none will reach truth until he is strong.
— Swami Vivekananda (CW, 2:201)
Vigour, patience, fortitude, harmlessness, freedom from vanity—all these, O scion of the Bharatas, are present in those born to a divine heritage.
(BG 16.3)
It is thought which is the propelling force in us. Fill the mind with the highest thoughts, hear them day after day, think them month after month.
— Swami Vivekananda (CW, 2:152)
It is deemed that the divine heritage leads to liberation and the demoniac to bondage. Grieve not, O son of Pandu! You are born to a divine heritage.
(BG 16.5)
Unfortunately in this life, the vast majority of persons are groping through this dark life without any ideal at all. If a man with an ideal makes a thousand mistakes, I am sure that the man without an ideal makes fifty thousand. Therefore, it is better to have an ideal.
— Swami Vivekananda (CW, 2:152)