Katha Upanishad 2.2
beginner
श्रेयश्च प्रेयश्च मनुष्यमेतस्तौ सम्परीत्य विविनक्ति धीरः। श्रेयो हि धीरोऽभिप्रेयसो वृणीते प्रेयो मन्दो योगक्षेमाद्वृणीते॥
śreyaśca preyaśca manuṣyametastau samparītya vivinakti dhīraḥ | śreyo hi dhīro'bhipreyaso vṛṇīte preyo mando yogakṣemādvṛṇīte ||
""Both the good and the pleasant present themselves to a person. The wise, examining both, distinguishes between them. The wise prefers the good over the pleasant; the fool chooses the pleasant for worldly gain.""
What This Means:
Everyone faces this choice constantly. The wise person examines both options carefully and chooses what's truly beneficial. The fool grabs what's pleasant.
Going Deeper:
Yoga-kshema (acquisition and security) represents worldly concerns. The fool sacrifices spiritual good for material security.
How To Apply This:
Be "dhira" (wise/steady) - take time to examine options rather than grabbing the first pleasant thing.
#wisdom#examination#choice