Quote of the day by Swami Vivekananda: "Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually and spiritually..."

Swami Vivekananda

We all want to feel strong, happy, and at peace. But sometimes, the path to getting there isn't about adding more to our lives, but about having the courage to let go of the things that hold us back.

The great Indian sage and spiritual teacher, Swami Vivekananda, gave us a powerful tool for this. His famous advice was:

"Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison."

At first glance, this might sound strict. But if we break it down, it becomes a very practical guide for everyday living.

What Does "Poison" Mean Here?

We all know what physical poison is—something that makes our body sick. Swami Vivekananda asks us to think bigger. He says that poison isn’t just something you eat.

This poison can appear in three key areas of our lives.

The first is physical weakness. This is the most straightforward to understand. It involves anything that breaks down the health and vitality of our bodies. This includes consistently eating junk food that has no nutritional value, not getting enough restful sleep, living a life without any physical activity or exercise, and partaking in harmful habits like smoking. Rejecting physical poison simply means consciously choosing actions that build our bodies up rather than break them down.

The second area is intellectual weakness. Our mind is much like a muscle; it needs the right kind of exercise to stay strong and sharp. Intellectual poison includes consuming endless streams of shallow information that does not teach us anything or encourage us to think deeply. It also involves refusing to learn new things, entertaining constant negative self-talk where we tell ourselves we are not good enough, and engaging in gossip and petty conversations. To reject this poison is to actively feed our minds with positive thoughts, meaningful knowledge, and constructive challenges.

The third and deepest area is spiritual weakness. It is important to know that this does not refer only to religion. Here, our "spirit" means our inner core—our sense of peace, purpose, and connection to the world around us. Spiritual poison often comes in the form of toxic relationships with people who constantly criticize or belittle us. It is also the jealousy and hatred we sometimes hold onto, which only ends up poisoning our own hearts. A lack of purpose or passion in life, and an endless greed for material possessions that leads to constant dissatisfaction, are also forms of this poison. Rejecting it means making a conscious effort to protect our inner peace and to nurture feelings of kindness, gratitude, and a sense of purpose.

Bringing this wisdom into our daily lives does not require massive, overnight changes. We can start by simply becoming more aware. After watching a movie or spending time scrolling online, pause and ask yourself if you feel inspired and relaxed, or drained and empty. After eating a meal, notice if you feel energetic and healthy, or tired and sluggish. After meeting a friend, reflect on whether you feel uplifted and supported, or negative and criticized. Our honest answers to these simple questions will clearly show us what truly nourishes our growth and what acts as a poison. The next step is to gently but firmly start saying no to the things that weaken us.

In the end, Swami Vivekananda’s timeless quote is not about living in fear or denying ourselves joy. It is about the opposite—it is a call to choose a life of true strength and vitality. Start today by identifying one small "poison" in your life and find the courage to let it go. Your stronger, happier, and more peaceful self will thank you for it.