Bhagavad Gita 4.40 · BG 4.40
Chapter 4Verse 40
Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति। नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः॥
ajñaś cāśraddadhānaś ca saṁśayātmā vinaśyati, nāyaṁ loko 'sti na paro na sukhaṁ saṁśayātmanaḥ
Translation
But someone who is ignorant, without faith and full of doubt, is lost. For the doubter there is no happiness, not in this world or the next.
The moment
This comes right after the verse about faith leading to knowledge and peace. Here Krishna describes the opposite.
What it means
Someone who doubts everything and trusts nothing can't build anything, inside or out. They don't find happiness anywhere, because the doubt goes with them.
Going deeper
'Samshayātmā vinashyati', the doubting self is lost, is the famous line here. The word describes someone whose very self has become doubt, not someone who simply has questions.
The Gita isn't against questioning. Arjuna asks questions all the way through. It's against doubt that never resolves, because that keeps a person from ever committing to a path.
In your life
If you've been undecided about something for a long time, set a date to decide. Gather what you need before then, and when the day comes, choose and commit. You can adjust later. Living in permanent doubt costs more than a choice that turns out imperfect.
Endless doubt brings no happiness, here or anywhere.
Keep reading
11.32
Time ends everything. The only question is how you act while it runs.
2.63
Anger left unchecked slowly clouds the mind. Notice it before it grows.
16.21
Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates that lead a person to ruin. Walk away from them.
3.37
Unfilled wanting, and the anger when it's blocked. That's the enemy, and it's inside.