Derisive thoughts

Many a lives have been wasted in serious thoughts. One of Socrates' lesser known students had said "Thoughts from the higher echelons of one's intellect ironically tend to cloud the intellect by bloating one's ego. Thus blinded one loses sight of the world and believes self to be the centre of the world. This folly is the reason for all misery in life. On the other hand, the lowest depths of the intellect contains such deplorable thoughts that one ends up believing the world and self to be objects worth mocking and thus fills life with mirth, which is the only joy of life." Socrates and Plato were outraged by this utterance. They seem to have ensured that nothing is heard about the utterer. Only one reference exists to the utterer and his utterance in an obscure Egyptian stele in which he is referred to as the "fool by the pool".

Two millennia later, I came across this statement and took it to heart. Here are some thoughts and incidents from the very depths of human intellect. This is my tribute to the "fool by the pool".

When you look for fool proof method, you will prove to be a fool

I think this is a profound thought but there is a good chance I am wrong. I have seen many lives wasted as they wandered in search of perfection or a fool proof method. It is much better to go ahead with whatever we know rather than look for fool proof-ness. By the time, we find the it, its too late.

Romba Sunday potta, seekrum Monday podavendirikkum

I am not sure what can be said about this one. If you understand it, let me know.

Everyone was surprised by the middle aged spinster's profound writing on love. But who says a spinster has not or cannot love. But this thought led me to the question - Is it a coincidence that Kadal and Kadulapoo sound similar?

She did not like having chayya at the chayya kada; instead she preferred having coffee. It was not your everyday filter coffee. She asked for more sugar than normal and yet removed some of the additional sugar as she felt it was too much. She wanted the cream of milk to be added to her coffee. She asked for the cream in Tamil and it sounded like "aid". The king of PJ was watching the scene with interest and could not contain the comment "you are like a developing nation - always asking for aid".

I have realized that issues are not created by anyone other than humans. Why do you think we do it? I believe its to discuss it for hours and walk out feeling intelligent. Apparently, issues are not like energy; they can be created from nothing but they can never be destroyed. Once a issue takes birth, it lives on forever and ever and ever. One might think it has disappeared or destroyed but they will come back when one least expects it. For example, Gandhi family, Karunandhi family and racism.

If one survive the words "I told you so" then one can save time by making one's own decisions. This thought does not belong to the realm of "fool by the pool"; it is closer to the Socratic thought, I think.  But poor wording has made it seem ridiculous.

One can project clarity in action and yet have no clarity of thought

In this case, the "whys" lie buried in the murky waters of the mind whereas the "hows" and "whats" froth up to the surface. 

Its easier for I to become we when one keep one's mouths shut

Most times, my utterances tend to offend one or the other. The opportunity for us to work together is lost forever and each of us end up being islands.