“… for to be wise and love,
Exceeds man’s might; that dwells with gods above.
(Troilus and Cressida, act 3, sc. 2)
Comments. Cressida’s observation is hardly original. Ambrose Bierce, not directly testing the compatibility of wisdom with love, says about the latter, “A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder. This disease, like many other ailments, is prevalent only among civilized races living under artificial conditions; barbarous nations breathing pure air and eating simple food enjoy immunity from its ravages. It is sometimes fatal, but more frequently to the physician than to the patient.”
And yet two companies, one in England and one in New Jersey, respectively, have found ways to reconcile the irreconcilable.
In England there is “Love and Wisdom Ayurveda Therapies.” They “offer you a complete system of healing and pampering. We’re here to help you to look and feel healthy, happy, full of vitality and fabulous using the principles of Ayurveda. Our expertise covers everything from massage, aromatherapy, heavenly hot massages, yoga therapy, meditation, life coaching, diet and lifestyle advice and spa treatments. We also help to bring health, prosperity and harmony in to your living and working environment with Vastu Shastra.”
And in New Jersey, Love & Wisdom, Inc. is a non profit organization. What follows is a brief synopsis of their activities and I have kept the original spelling.
A group of “Women of Wisdom help women achieve their life goals by empowering them in the areas self esteem, finanances, and achieving life goals.”
For Children – Encourgagement Light Program (ages 5-12 mentoring youth in the areas self esteem, personal hygiene, respect, manners, education, and volunteering.
Youth – FCL- Future Community Leaders (ages 13-17) mentoring youth in the areas of life skill, drug awareness, edcuation, carreer, college, volunteering, internships, and self esteem.
For Girlz 2 Women – young girls mentoring group girls (11-17) mentoring in the areas of self esteem, personal hygiene, different issue that young girls face on the journey of woman.”
Perhaps Shakespeare was too pessimistic.
Tips for Use. Suggest that your passion drives you but that is part of the regular course of things. Circumstances may suggest that falling in love with her (or marrying her) may be a risky proposition. But your desire or love overpowers your considerations of wisdom and prudence.
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In the play. Cressida teases Pandarus by pretending to yield to Troilus out of passion whereas if she were wise she would at least think about it.