To obtain wisdom you first must be wise. Sound contradictory? It isn't, really. Let me explain first, what wisdom isn't. Wisdom is not the same as knowledge. Knowledge is merely acquaintance with the facts of a subject. Knowledge is awareness. Information plus inference (thought) equals knowledge. Understanding is not wisdom. Understanding is being able to think abstractly about the facts. It is comprehending, interpreting, and assigning meaning to the facts. Neither knowing nor understanding the facts is wisdom. So what is wisdom, and can a human acquire it? Here are some thoughts on wisdom.
Wisdom is a trait that is developed by experience but not taught.
Wisdom is the best use of knowledge.
Wisdom is pure reason.
Wisdom is a virtue such as courage or justice.
The Greeks loved wisdom. They even had a goddess of wisdom, Sophia. In the Hebrew scriptures it says... and thou shalt speak to the wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Clearly this says you must be wise to receive wisdom. Solomon sought wisdom and found it. Thus we must apply our heart (to seek) to wisdom and seek it with diligence. Wisdom is gained by experiencing the truth about the facts revealed. Modern psychologists say this about wisdom: There is an overlap of the implicit theory of wisdom with intelligence, perceptiveness, spirituality, and shrewdness; it is evident that wisdom is a distinct term and not a composite of other terms.
So what is wisdom? It is the best use of knowledge, it is the best use of understanding. It is utilizing that knowledge and understanding in making choices. It is being able to discern and perceive differences in the choices available and choose what is the best. How does a human being come to acquire wisdom?
It seems to me that a wise man will seek after the truth and endeavor to be filled with wisdom. Wisdom is knowing the truth, understanding the truth and basing your actions on the truth.
Debra Carey
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