Tsong-kha-pa often cites famous works of others.[1] And I was delighted to come across the following verse from the twenty-fourth chapter of Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Treatise on the Middle Way:

Therefore, knowing that those of limited intelligence
Would have difficulty understanding the depths of his teaching,
The mind of the Sage turned away
From giving this teaching.[2]

But when will I learn to do as Nagarjuna’s sage used to do? For some reason that escapes me entirely, I am still eager to teach even those of limited intelligence, who have difficulty understanding the depths of my teaching.

Footnotes

1. The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Vol. 3, Translated by Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee, Joshua W.C. Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, Guy Newland, Editor, Boston and London: Snow Lion, 2014.

2. Op. cit., p. 138.