DAY 280
Learn as if Immortal, Act as if Death Already Grips You
기원후 8~12세기경 편찬
ORIGINAL
अजरामरवत्प्राज्ञो विद्यामर्थं च साधयेत् । गृहीत इव केशेषु मृत्युना धर्ममाचरेत् ॥ (ajarāmaravat prājño vidyām arthaṃ ca sādhayet, gṛhīta iva keśeṣu mṛtyunā dharmam ācaret)
📜 THE VERSE
The wise pursue learning and wealth as though they will never age or die, yet practice right conduct as though death has already seized them by the hair.
❓ TODAY'S QUESTION
At what pace am I living out my learning, and my right conduct, respectively?
📝Reflection
This verse looks contradictory at first — learn leisurely, but act urgently? Yet a careful balance lies within it: learning is a lifelong marathon needing no haste, while doing what is right only loses value the longer we delay, so it must be done now. Knowing what to rush and what to take our time with — that is wisdom.
— ONGO · Curator
🌱Apply It Today
Take one right action you have postponed and carry it out right now, as if death had already seized you by the hair.
📖 Source:
Hitopadesha, Book 1.
Sanskrit original with public-domain translations consulted; rendered independently by ONGO.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
