The Pursuit of Sagacity: A Reflection

The Pursuit of Sagacity: A Reflection

 

This document is a powerful meditation on intellectual humility and the path to wisdom. It charts the author’s frustrated ambition to grasp the complexities of philosophical "giants" like Nietzsche and Kant, asserting a path forward: a commitment to rigorous discipline and the realization that his life is a form of "world's capital"—a resource that must be wisely invested rather than solely consumed.

 

I must also produce some philosophy now; I cannot spend time unwisely.

A sagacity mode must enter, and guide me towards ultimate serenity and truth.

 

Though not expecting the climax instantly to surface, as not yet full-fit to embrace;

I stand on some scale, or at a single step, in the full elevation of ultimate reality.

I do not know how that wisdom comes, but practice in that direction will lead.

Yet I realize that others of my age or even younger have attained immense maturity.

 

The core idea is to be more serious in brooding and extract life's precious nectar.

I must know how to smile enough and share serenity with the people I contact.

Maturity arrives when one starts generalising, and experimentation subsides a little.

But science says to do these modes simultaneously so as to achieve a good whole.

 

I write & cogitate a bit, though not knowing the quality, but I intend on colossal output.

The goal is bigger than me, and triumph is difficult, but my efforts must not go to waste.

At present, it is just warming up, but I can practice rigorously to turn into a true expert.

It is a self’s game, to be won by the self only, and each move will lead to immensity.

 

I talk a lot around me, but perhaps fail to extract meanings out of this delirium.

Surely doubtful, I beat about the bushes, and do not leave this great fool world.

But one type of thought does not lead much; I remain stranded & make no progress.

So train Body & mind correctly, and think to benefit from their good health.

 

Come out of the self to realize full humanity, and brood on general working principles;

Many good aspects are scattered everywhere, but I can establish one small point.

The only thing is to think deeply, say what does that mean, and how does it work.

Not just the touching, but try hard to understand its definition & the concepts behind.

 

Many books lie on my shelves, written by the legends who brood on immensity;

I also try with myself, but I don’t know when the beauty of words will surface.

Still in the first phase, I experiment like a child with things nearby & learning lessons;

I interact with all types & behave thus, though I don’t know the ultimate relevance.

 

Some 15 years ago, Usha said, I don't focus on one point and tend to jump;

She is also correct, similarly, that I must strive to come out of this ‘I-ness’.

The outside world is beautiful; cogitate on that, and derive some good principles.

Satish Saxena says my writings are a bit complex, yet learned have yet to interact.

 

It is a philosophy to understand oneself first, and then relate to the vast humanity.

I am also not different, and working on myself becomes the most beautiful part of it.

Life around me is immense, and each thing is in process for a bigger purpose.

We all construct this vast life around, and all are important on the ultimate scale.

 

I read some philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche, a German essayist & cultural critic;

His writings are on truth, mortality, language, aesthetics, cultural theory, and nihilism.

The power, consciousness, & existential meaning have influenced Western thought a lot;

He has given the enduring and powerful idea that God is dead.

 

The problem is that I read these great men a bit, but don't understand them fully.

Admittedly, interaction is very little; the concepts are bigger than my simple intellect.

The time given is inadequate, so spare a focused self to understand them.

Plus, be serious in critical thinking; just a surface-level whitewashing is a waste.

 

Judging reveals quite an inadequate feeling; I just roam, while others do great.

So, learn from people how they do it benignly, and best use the available time.

To join the line of colossuses, do something great, and give to the world?

My life is the capital for the world, for its different uses; I don't solely own it.

 

As Immanuel Kant says, man can't know all, and we are limited in everything.

The child is mainly in an experimenting phase and gains life's core lessons.

But the adolescents develop the courage to generalize the essential principles.

And they derive pleasure from them, while the adults see principles focused.

 

So first, acquaint yourself with such great minds and learn the peripherals.

Then go to the core, embracing the deep philosophy to make some sense.

The problem is that within a limited time & mind, I want to grasp everything.

Maybe interaction with the unusual can cause frustration & distance too, at times

 

Everything needs a good mind framing first, so always learn something or other.

Life bestows its blessings on the serious & zealous to move ahead unwaveringly.

Know how to train the mind into a studious mode and make sense from interactions.

By staying with good & wise persons, we can also gain some of life's great lessons.

 

At times, I think of myself as an adult and hence should understand everything.

But realize that the topics & subjects are complex, which often fly over the head.

You must understand that people work endlessly to develop themselves.

Concepts are difficult and need rigorous training to glimpse even a vague insight.

 

Then what to do with myself: just let it remain frustrated, or remain curious?

The latter is beneficial; at least some nearby is understood, and I can learn more.

Though not the best of all, I can try to be my finest, whatever is possible.

With a bit more effort, better learn the concepts that seem perplexing now.

 

I am reading a great book, ‘Everything is Fucked - A book about Hope’;

The writer Mark Manson has also written 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’.

It is a philosophical-cum-psychological work; I itch to know Newton, Nietzsche & Kant.

They are the world’s giants, but we can know, and possibly can pick a bit from them.

 

Readings have shaped me into what I am today, sometimes even during the day

But it should germinate in me too; life’s mortification is one of the main goals.

I am to order myself in the correct direction; many effects consistently shape.

That I can sit with myself gives solace, and not feel ashamed of whatever I am.

 

I don't recall all the great authors, but wisdom interacts with texts & interactions.

I should use that in daily behaviour, making life serene for myself and others.

I meet many people, friends, and I should project myself as a working official.

They expect good projects, as a lot of my good time passes there each moment.

 

Thematic Summary

The Epistemological Struggle: The text is defined by an epistemological (knowledge-based) struggle, tracing human development from the experimental child phase to the generalizing adolescent phase, seeking the ultimate principle-focused adult stage, as referenced through the work of Immanuel Kant.

The Discipline of Sagacity: The primary goal is the attainment of sagacity, which is posited as an act of will—a required self-ordering and training of the mind—rather than a passive acquisition.

The Problem of "I-ness": The work critically examines the concept of "I-ness" (ego/self-absorption) and advocates for an outward-facing philosophy where the individual life is viewed not as personal property, but as capital for the world's greater use, echoing existentialist & utilitarian principles.

 

Pawan Kumar,

22^nd October, 2025, Wednesday, Time 10.15 A.M.

(From my Dwarka, New Delhi Diary dated 27th October 2020, Tuesday, 8:41 AM)