Puppets on a String

Whatever you do not wish to do because of your delusions,
You will do even against your will, bound by your natural duty karma.
The Lord, Arjuna, is present inside all beings,
Moving them like puppets by his magic power.

Bhagavad Gita 18.60-61

It may be that one of you will be performing the works of the people of Paradise, so that between him and Paradise there is the distance of only an arm's length, but then what is written for him overtakes him, and he begins to perform the works of the people of hell, into which he will go. Or maybe one of you will be performing the works of the people of hell, so that between him and hell there is the distance of only an arm's length, but then what is written for him will overtake him, and he will begin to perform the works of the people of Paradise, into which he will go.

Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 4

God has both the yam and the knife;
only those whom He gives a slice can eat!

Igbo proverb, Nigeria

For citizens who think themselves puppets in the hands of their rulers, nothing is more satisfying than having rulers as puppets in their hands.

Pico Iyer


Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You