Why ARE we such snobs? Why do we cling to the exclusiveness of name, position and acquisition? Is anonymity degrading, to be unknown despicable? Why do we pursue the famous, the popular?
Krishnamurti, Commentaries on Living 1
Read More
Why do we crave to be recognised, to be made much of, to be encouraged? Why are we such snobs? Why do we cling to the exclusiveness of name, position and acquisition? Is anonymity degrading, to be unknown despicable? Why do we pursue the famous, the popular? Why are we not content to be ourselves? Are we frightened and ashamed of what we are, so name, position and acquisition become all-important? It is curious how strong is the desire to be recognised and applauded. Through privilege, cleverness, capacity or efficiency, one arrives somewhere near the top – but the top is never the top, for there is always more and more in the intoxication of success. Organised religion offers position, prestige and honour; there too you are somebody, apart and important. Or you become the disciple of a teacher, a guru, a master, or you cooperate with them in their work. You are still important; you represent them, you share their responsibility; you have and others receive. Though it is in their name, you are still the means. You may put on a loincloth or a monk’s robe, but it is you who is making the gesture, it is you who is renouncing. In one way or another, subtly or grossly, the self is nourished and sustained.
The self can never be anonymous; it may take on a new robe, assume a different name, but identity is its very substance.
Krishnamurti, Commentaries on Living 1
Read More
Anonymity has almost gone. With anonymity is a different kind of creativity, not based on success or money.
Krishnamurti, Questions and Answers
Read More
It is good to hide your brilliance under a bushel, to be anonymous, to love what you are doing and not to show off.
Krishnamurti, Think on These Things
Read More
It is an extraordinary thing in life to be anonymous – not to be famous or great, not to be very learned, not to be a tremendous reformer or revolutionary, just to be nobody.
Krishnamurti, Think on These Things
Read More
Krishnamurti: It is an extraordinary thing in life to be anonymous – not to be famous or great, not to be very learned, not to be a tremendous reformer or revolutionary, just to be nobody. When one really feels that way, to be suddenly surrounded by a lot of curious people creates a sense of withdrawal.
Quietness is the highest form of intelligence, which is never personal or impersonal, never yours or mine. Being anonymous, it is whole and immaculate.
Krishnamurti, The Urgency of Change
Read More
I am completely anonymous; I am not important. What is important is to find out for yourself if what is being said is true or false, and that depends on intelligence.
Krishnamurti, The Flame of Attention
Read More
Is there a different kind of creativity born out of freedom from the known? Is there a creativity totally different from the activity we generally call creativity?
Krishnamurti, Questions and Answers
Read More
There can be no creativity if there is a motive behind it. See this for yourself.
Krishnamurti, Beginnings of Learning
Read More
Can there be creativity, in the most profound sense of that word, as long as there is egotism, the demand for success, money and recognition – supplying the market?
Krishnamurti, Questions and Answers
Read More
In the state of creation, of creativity of the new, which is timeless, there is no action of the ‘me’ at all.
Krishnamurti, The First and Last Freedom
Read More
When we don’t accept or follow, but question, investigate and penetrate, there is an insight out of which comes creativity and joy.
Krishnamurti, Think on These Things
Read More
Creativity is not born of knowledge or previous experience. If it makes use of knowledge, it becomes invention, just a new way of doing the same thing.
Krishnamurti, The Future is Now
Read More
Gradually the flame of creativity is lost and only the picture, the symbol, the word remains, without anything behind it.
Krishnamurti, Life Ahead
Read More
When you end attachment, a different activity goes on: to incarnate in the present, now. That is creativity.
Krishnamurti, Mind Without Measure
Read More
These quotes only touch on the many subjects Krishnamurti inquired into during his lifetime. His timeless and universal teachings can be explored using the Index of Topics where you will find texts, audio and video related on many themes. Another option is to browse our selection of curated articles or more short quotes. Krishnamurti’s reply when asked what lies at the heart of his teachings can be found here. Many Krishnamurti books are available, a selection of which can be explored here. To find out more about Krishnamurti’s life, please see our introduction and the biography. We also host a weekly podcast, and offer free downloads. Please visit our YouTube channel for hundreds of specially selected shorter clips. Below, you can learn more about Krishnamurti and our charity which he founded in 1968.

Who Was Krishnamurti?
J. Krishnamurti (1895-1986) is widely regarded as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. He spoke throughout the world to large audiences and to individuals, including writers, scientists, philosophers and educators, about the need for a radical change in mankind. Referring to himself, Krishnamurti said:
He is acting as a mirror for you to look into. That mirror is not an authority. It has no authority, it’s just a mirror. And when you see it clearly, understand what you see in that mirror, then throw it away, break it up.
Krishnamurti was concerned with all humanity and held no nationality or belief and belonged to no particular group or culture. In the latter part of his life, along with continuing to give public talks, he travelled mainly between the schools he had founded in India, Britain and the United States, which educate for the total understanding of man and the art of living. He stressed that only this profound understanding can create a new generation that will live in peace.
Krishnamurti reminded his listeners again and again that we are all human beings first and not Hindus, Muslims or Christians, that we are like the rest of humanity and are not different from one another. He asked that we tread lightly on this earth without destroying ourselves or the environment. He communicated to his listeners a deep sense of respect for nature. His teachings transcend man-made belief systems, nationalistic sentiment and sectarianism. At the same time, they give new meaning and direction to mankind’s search for truth. His teaching is timeless, universal and increasingly relevant to the modern age.
I am nobody. It is as simple as that. I am nobody. But what is important is who you are, what you are.
Krishnamurti
Krishnamurti spoke not as a guru but as a friend. His talks and discussions are based not on tradition-based knowledge but on his own insights into the human mind and his vision of the sacred, so he always communicated a sense of freshness and directness, although the essence of his message remained unchanged over the years. When Krishnamurti addressed large audiences, people felt that he was talking to each of them personally, addressing their own particular problem. In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to those who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding. Religious scholars found that his words threw new light on traditional concepts. Krishnamurti took on the challenge of modern scientists and psychologists and went with them step by step, discussing their theories and sometimes enabling them to discern the limitations of their theories.
Krishnamurti left a large body of literature in the form of public talks, writings, discussions with teachers and students, scientists, psychologists and religious figures, conversations with individuals, television and radio interviews, and letters. Many of these have been published as books, in over 60 languages, along with hundreds of audio and video recordings.

The Krishnamurti Foundation
Established in 1968 as a registered charity, and located at The Krishnamurti Centre, Krishnamurti Foundation Trust exists to preserve and make available Krishnamurti’s teachings.
The Foundation serves a global audience by providing worldwide free access to Krishnamurti videos, audio and texts to those who may be interested in pursuing an understanding of Krishnamurti’s work in their own lives.
In describing his intentions for the Foundations, Krishnamurti said:
The Foundations will see to it that these teachings are kept whole, are not distorted, are not made corrupt.