Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." – Ralph Waldo Emerson: This quote highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and one's values, even when faced with societal pressures to conform to materialistic desires. "The things you own end up owning you." – Tyler Durden (character from Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk): This idea suggests that the pursuit of material possessions can lead to a loss of control and freedom, as individuals become consumed by their belongings and the need to acquire more. "The unexamined life is not worth living." – Socrates: This famous quote by the Greek philosopher emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and questioning one's desires and values, which can help individuals recognize the futility of materialism and the value of a more meaningful, purpose-driven life. "There is no wealth but life." – John Ruskin: This idea posits that true wealth and happiness are not found in material possessions, but rather in the experiences and relationships that make up a fulfilling life. "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes." – Henry David Thoreau: In his book, "Walden," Thoreau critiques materialism and consumerism, suggesting that individuals should be cautious of pursuits that require constant consumption and the accumulation of possessions. "He who is not a good servant will not be a good master." – Plato: This quote can be interpreted as a reminder that the pursuit of material wealth and power can lead to corruption and a loss of empathy. By focusing on serving others and fostering a sense of community, individuals can resist the allure of materialism and strive for a more just and equitable society.

History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce

Some pointers for the essay asked in UPSC CSE 2021. 

1. George Santayana famously said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This quote highlights the importance of learning from history to avoid making the same mistakes again. It can be used to emphasize the importance of historical awareness in understanding the cyclical nature of events and the potential for tragic consequences when history is ignored or forgotten.
2. The Hegelian Dialectic, proposed by German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, argues that history unfolds through a process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. This process can be seen as evidence of history repeating itself in various forms. The Hegelian Dialectic can be used to illustrate the cyclical nature of history and how opposing forces often lead to the repetition of similar events or outcomes.
3. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, "In the mountains of truth, you never climb in vain." This quote suggests that the pursuit of truth and knowledge is always valuable, even if history seems to repeat itself.This quote can be used to emphasize the importance of understanding history to prevent tragedies and farces, as well as the value of seeking knowledge for its own sake.
4. Winston Churchill once said, "History is written by the victors." This quote highlights the importance of understanding multiple perspectives in history, as the stories we tell often reflect the dominant narrative at the time. This quote can be used to discuss the potential for history to repeat itself when certain narratives or perspectives are ignored or suppressed, leading to repeated tragedies and farces.
5. The idea of "eternal recurrence," which was popularized by Friedrich Nietzsche, posits that events in the universe recur infinitely in a cyclical pattern. Eternal recurrence can be used to illustrate the notion that history repeats itself, with tragic and farcical consequences arising from a failure to learn from previous mistakes.
6. Mark Twain once said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." This quote offers a nuanced perspective on the idea that history repeats itself, suggesting that events and situations may not be exact repetitions but share similar patterns and themes. This quote can be used to explore the ways in which history may "rhyme" rather than directly repeat, leading to tragic and farcical consequences.
7. The fall of the Roman Empire and the decline of other great civilizations throughout history often share common factors such as internal decay, external pressure, and a failure to adapt to changing circumstances.It can be used to demonstrate how history repeats itself in the rise and fall of empires, and how a lack of adaptation or foresight can result in both tragedy and farce