I do not consider Shastra Vada (Intellectual Scholarship) as very essential for the spiritual aspirant. I advise you to develop ananda (Bliss), not through these difficult and even doubtful means, but through the cultivation of prema (love), which begins in the home and family and spreads to all creatures. Put down the sharp-edged weapon that seeks to analyse and chop the arguments of the opponent, to cut his point of view to pieces. Take up the laddu (sweet pudding) of love which spreads joy and wins over recalcitrant hearts. (SSS Vol.1)

When you do not know, confess that you do not know; if you pretend to know and try to cover up ignorance, it is very dangerous, especially to the spiritual aspirant. (S.S.S Vol XVII - p. 18)

The sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) must have as his security personnel, viveka (wisdom) and vairagya. Then he can move through the world unharmed. (SSS Vol. 6)

Hate and envy distort man s true charm. Anger is the fuel for all varieties of sin. Just look at yourself in a mirror, when you are attacked by anger, and you will discover that you are then akin to Suurpanakha or Lankini of ancient times. The Rajo guna that is over-powering you then is the Raakshasa trait you must learn to avoid. Those aspiring for success in the spiritual field must therefore decide to control anger, to subdue the vagaries of the mind with its changing resolution to do and not to do things. (SSS Vol. 6)

Just as a child learns to speak by watching the mother s words, the spiritual aspirant has to make the effort himself while listening to the preceptor or studying scriptural texts. (SSS Vol.22)