Single Idea 7990

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom]

Full Idea

Who everywhere is free from all ties, who neither rejoices nor sorrows if fortune is good or is ill, his is a serene wisdom.

Gist of Idea

Serene wisdom is freedom from ties, and indifference to fortune

Source

Anon (Bhag) (The Bhagavad Gita [c.500 BCE], 2.57)

Book Reference

'The Bhagavad Gita', ed/tr. Mascaro,Juan [Penguin 1962], p.53


A Reaction

This is very similar to the 'apatheia' of the Stoics, though they are always more committed to rationality. This is quite a good strategy when times are hard, but as a general rule it offers a bogus state of 'wisdom' which is really half way to death.