Shloka 30
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
न सर्ववित्कश्चिदिहास्ति लोके नात्यन्तमूर्खो भुवि चापि कश्चित् / ज्ञानेन नीचोत्तममध्यमेन यो ऽयं विजानाति स तेन विद्वान्
na sarvavitkaścidihāsti loke nātyantamūrkho bhuvi cāpi kaścit / jñānena nīcottamamadhyamena yo 'yaṃ vijānāti sa tena vidvān
この世に、完全に一切を知る者はなく、また地上に、まったくの愚者もいない。知が下・中・上の段階として存することを悟る者—その悟りによってこそ、真の賢者である。
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Wisdom is recognizing gradations of knowledge and avoiding absolutist self/other judgments.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination) and amanitva (humility) as supports for right knowledge.
Application: Cultivate intellectual humility; evaluate claims by degrees of certainty; learn from those above, teach those below, and refine one’s own middle ground.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Acara sections): recurring emphasis on viveka, madhyama-marga in conduct and counsel
FAQs
This verse teaches that no human is perfectly all-knowing or completely ignorant; recognizing gradations of knowledge cultivates humility and is itself a mark of real wisdom.
By rejecting extremes (claiming omniscience or dismissing others as fools), the verse supports dharmic conduct—measured judgment, respectful learning, and discernment in counsel.
Approach learning with openness: avoid absolutist certainty, learn from those with greater insight, and do not demean those with less—wisdom grows through recognizing different levels of understanding.