33 Karma Quotes on Justice, Relationships, & More

We’ve all heard karma quotes such as “what goes around comes around” and “you reap what you sow,” but does karma truly exist? Sonia Vadlamani explores the beliefs and psychological impact of karma and benefits of reflecting on quotes about karma in daily life.

 

For most of us, karma is an intriguing notion, something that pertains to the belief that our actions – good and bad – boomerang back to us eventually. Others question if karma is real and if doing good deeds in hope of future rewards really makes any difference. 

Indeed, karma as a concept is integral to several religions, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. According to these, karma is considered a universal principle of cause and effect, wherein every action creates energy, which returns to us – whether in this life or the next. 

Though rooted in religion, karma has transcended as a widely recognized and accepted concept. From a Western perspective, karma closely resembles the law of reciprocity, or the idea that kindness is likely to be extended back to you when you help others. Believing in karma thus serves as a reminder to practice compassion, mindfulness, and honesty.

Classical religious scriptures refer to different types of karma, including:
 

• Sanchita karma, referring to the karma accumulated from our past lives.
• Prarabdha karma, or the portion of the accumulated karma we’re living through right now.
• Kriyamana karma, or the karma we’re creating now through our thoughts, choices, and actions.

These categories offer an interesting perspective: we’re constantly living with the consequences of our past actions, while also shaping our future with the decisions we make today.

 

Powerful Karma Quotes

While science can’t determine whether karma is real, researchers agree that one’s belief in karma influences their behavior. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that individuals who believe in karma engage more often in prosocial acts, like kindness and generosity.

Moreover, evidence suggests that kindness creates a ripple effect in the community – helping others not only makes the recipients happy but also boosts the giver’s wellbeing. Karma can be observed in action here in the phenomenon the researchers call “prosocial loops,” or ongoing sequences of generosity.

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Here’s where quotes about karma can prove to be more than merely “aesthetic” Instagram forwards. They can act as an anchor when you’re struggling with a challenging situation, dealing with loss – or worse – witnessing a toxic person “living their best life” on social media. 

Karma quotes remind you of the larger forces in play by reconnecting you with your principles and values when emotions threaten to cloud your perspective. Even the lighthearted, funny karma quotes can offer you a laugh and help you look at the bigger picture with a fresh standpoint!

 

Karma Life Lessons Quotes

Understanding karma isn’t about waiting for it to catch up with someone else’s wrongdoings. It’s about acknowledging that you influence your present and future experiences through every choice you make. Quotes on karma can help you navigate through life and consciously take charge of your actions and decisions.

 

“Karma quotes remind you of the larger forces in play by reconnecting you with your principles and values when emotions threaten to cloud your perspective.” 

Depending on the situation you find yourself in, these karma quotes can offer a novel yet grounded perspective to help you handle life’s challenges:

 

Karma Greed Quotes 

In a world driven by ambition and materialistic pursuits, it’s easy to lose sight of your values and allow greed to take the wheel. These karma greed quotes can serve as gentle reminders to reconnect with your purpose in life and build a life of giving, not merely taking: 

 

“Greed, in the end, fails even the greedy.” — Cathryn Louis

“Men are not punished for their sins, but by them.” — Elbert Hubbard

 

“There’s a natural law of karma that vindictive people, who go out of their way to hurt others, will end up broke and alone.” — Sylvester Stallone

 

"Karma is a tricky thing. To serve your own interest is bad karma. To serve the interest of others is good karma.” – M.R. Mathias

 

“Manipulation, fueled with good intent, can be a blessing. But when used wickedly, it is the beginning of a magician's karmic calamity.” — T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph over Death and Conscious Encounters With the Divine Presence

 

Karma Cheating Quotes 

Sometimes, betrayal may feel like an apt response – especially if you’ve been wronged or believe it gives you an edge. However, deception inevitably creates complications and chaos, denting your relationships as well as your sense of integrity for ever. 

 

Some karma cheating quotes to remind you why deceit ultimately returns to haunt the deceiver include:

 

“A relationship built on deceit cannot last. Karma always collects the rent for borrowed trust.” — Unknown

 

“By each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” — David Mitchell

 

“Karma is justice. It does not reward or punish, because we have to earn all that we receive.” — Mary T. Browne

 

“Karma comes after everyone eventually. You can't get away with screwing people over your whole life, I don't care who you are. What goes around comes around. Sooner or later the universe will serve you the revenge that you deserve.” — Jessica Brody, The Karma Club

 

“Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.” — Arthur Conan Doyle

 

Karma Gossip Quotes 

The words we speak about others reflect our inner feelings and eventually shape our own social standing and experiences. Indeed, gossiping and putting others down reflect an underlying lack of empathy and can result in social isolation over time for those engaging in it. 

 

These karma gossip quotes act as reminders that you can alter your karma by choosing not to spread negativity:

 

“Gossip is a powerful beast, yet karma tames it eloquently.” — Unknown

 

“The sort of words a man says is the sort he hears in return.” — Homer, The Iliad

 

“Gossip is the spark; karma is the flame that burns it.” — Unknown

 

“With karma, the arrow of rumor loses its sting.” — Unknown

 

“What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth.” — Jewish Proverb

Karma Narcissist Quotes 

Dealing with narcissism can be draining – after all, nobody likes to engage willingly with emotional or energy vampires. Interestingly, a narcissist’s karma often feels poetic: the more they expect the world to revolve around them, the more likely they are to be deserted and left wondering why they’re alone.

 

These karma narcissist quotes offer insight into how narcissists function and the consequences of self-absorption:

 

“Narcissists don’t believe in bad karma, they truly believe they are somehow exempt.” — Melanie Tonia Evans, Founder – Quanta Freedom Healing

 

“Narcissists are unable to sustain relationships in a healthy kind of way … that becomes its own form of karma.” —  Dr. Les Carter, Clinical Psychologist

 

“When we don’t put the brakes on our self-absorption, we have nothing stopping us from total self-destruction. We become the fruits of our actions.” — Zeena Schreck, Beatdom #11: The Nature Issue

 

“They hate the fact that their actions have consequences, that their choices have adverse outcomes, that punishment is coming, that karma is ineluctable.” — Prof. Sam Vaknin, Author, Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited

 

“Seed of karma is ego.” —Yoga Vasistha (Attributed), Classical Text

 

“Narcissists experience criticism as injury; retaliation is swift, but the long-term karma is isolation as people recognize the pattern.” — Dr. Craig Malkin, Clinical Psychologist

 

Karma Buddha Quotes 

In Buddhism, karma is viewed as a natural unfolding of cause and effect, instead of a system for rewards and punishments. These karma Buddha quotes offer valuable insight into karma as a spiritual guiding force:

 

“My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.” — Thích Nhất Hạnh

 

“Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.” — Buddha

 

“From the Buddhist perspective, it is impossible to build personal happiness on the sufferings of others.” —Daisaku Ikeda

 

“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” — Gautama Buddha, Buddha - The Gospel

 

“Karma is ego intention, done by an ego we identify with.” — Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen, Tibetan Buddhist Master

 

Funny Karma Quotes

Sometimes all you need is a good laugh to regain your courage and get back on track after a major setback. These funny karma quotes help you get out of your head and gain a fresh perspective about a difficult situation:

 

“Dear Karma, I really hate you right now, you made your point.” — Ottilie Weber

 

“It’s called karma, and it’s pronounced ha ha.” — Unknown 

 

“I must have killed a lot of cows in a past life for karma to hate me this much.” — Katie McGarry

 

"Instant karma is just the universe proving it still has Wi-Fi everywhere.” — Unknown 

 

“I heard that karma is vengeful and is also a light sleeper.” — Rudy Francisco

“If you're really a mean person you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop.” — Kurt Cobain

 

“You made your own bed, and now curse others for putting you there.” — Wesley Chu, The Lives of Tao

 

Takeaway: Quotes on Karma

Karma is much more than a cosmic accounting system – it’s about accepting that your thoughts, beliefs, and actions carry significance and that you hold absolute authority over the karma you create every moment.

Ultimately, karma quotes serve as a medium for letting go of negative feelings – whether it’s narcissism, a desire to seek revenge, greed, or the urge to gossip – and redirecting your attention toward what’s truly in your control. ●

Image: shutterstock/mohamed_hassan

Written by Sonia Vadlamani

Fitness and healthy food blogger, food photographer and stylist, travel-addict and future-self journaler. Sonia loves to write and has resolved to dedicate her life to revealing how easy and important it is to be happier, stronger and fitter each day. Follow her daily pursuits at FitFoodieDiary or on Instagram.