Tea has been a beloved beverage for centuries, not just for its comforting and soothing qualities, but also for the rich philosophical traditions that have developed around it. From ancient Chinese Taoism to the British tradition of afternoon tea, tea has been celebrated for its ability to bring people together, foster conversation and contemplation, and inspire the mind and soul.
Tea has not only been a source of comfort and refreshment but has also inspired profound reflections on life, mindfulness, and philosophy. Here are some inspiring quotes about tea:
“Tea is an act complete in its simplicity. When I drink tea, there is only me and the tea. The rest of the world dissolves.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“Tea … is a religion of the art of life.” – Kakuzo Okakura, “The Book of Tea”
“Tea … is a religion of the art of life.” – Kakuzo Okakura, “The Book of Tea”
“Tea is the elixir of life.” – Eisai, a Japanese Buddhist monk
“Tea, though ridiculed by those who are naturally coarse in their nervous sensibilities will always be the favorite beverage of the intellectual.” – Thomas de Quincey
“Tea is the magic key to the vault where my brain is kept.” – Frances Hardinge
“Where there’s tea, there’s hope.” – Arthur Wing Pinero
“Tea is an attitude. It’s a way of life.” – Yoko Ono
“Tea … should be taken in solitude.” – C.S. Lewis
“Tea is to the body as music is to the soul.” – Earlene Grey
“Tea is quiet and our thirst for tea is never far from our craving for beauty.” – James Norwood Pratt
These quotes reflect the diverse ways in which tea has been intertwined with contemplation, mindfulness, and the appreciation of life’s simple pleasures. Tea, in its essence, becomes a metaphor for the philosophy of living in the moment and finding solace in the ritual of brewing and savoring a cup of this ancient elixir.