Freedom is the first condition of growth. What you do not make free, will never grow. The idea that you can make others grow and help their growth, that you can direct and guide them, always retaining for yourself the freedom of the teacher, is nonsense, a dangerous lie which has retarded the growth of millions and millions of human beings in this world. Let men have the light of liberty. That is the only condition of growth.
(p.115, Vol.2, Complete works of Swami Vivekananda, Swami in his lecture ‘Maya and the evolution of the conception of God, delivered in London, 20 Oct, 1896.)
I am Thakur’s dog. Just as a dog will do much work for his master, even after eating but little, and will protect his valuable property from thieves and dacoits, so am I Thakur’s dog, lying here at the Math. Lying at my Master’s door, I safeguard his wealth (discrimination, renunciation, knowledge, and devotion) and his monastic Order. This Math belongs to Thakur, Swamiji, and Maharaj. I am their dog. He who can remain lying down like a dog of the Math will become blessed.
(p.291, Mahapurush Maharaj as we saw Him, Mahapurush Maharaj’s words to Swami Dharmeshananda during Mahanavami in Belur Math on 20 Oct,1931.)