Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting
get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is defined as “the ability to discern or judge what is
true, right, or lasting” whereas understanding is “information gained through experience,
reasoning, or acquaintance”. So knowing
what is right or wrong is important but the practical experience of
implementing action and reflection on its consequences is also required.
Wisdom without understanding does not suffice. Honour and progress only occurs when you
hold wisdom and understanding within your heart. So how can we learn wisdom?
Confucius claimed there were three ways to learn wisdom
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by
reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third
by experience, which is the bitterest.”
Confucius
I like the way he tells us the easiest way, is to
imitate someone who is wise. That is
easy to relate to. You get to see an
example in front of you and you copy it. Or with experience you learn through trial and error, which can be
very painful and take time. Or as proverbs more eloquently but crudely puts it,
"As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly"
Proverbs 31
Reflection is described as the noblest perhaps because
you work it out yourself using your own rational ability.
But real grace and honour will never be dependent on
what you acquire but on what service you carry out as a result of this wisdom
and understanding. Or in the words of Zoroaster,
“One good deed is worth a thousand prayers.”
Zoroaster
It also brings benefits not just to the recipient as
he further explained,
“Doing good for others is not a duty. It is a joy, for it increases your own
health and happiness.”
Zoroaster
In fact he advises,
“Turn not yourself away from three things: good
thoughts, good word and good deed.”
Zoroaster
However, attaining these goals is ever dependent on
control of oneself and that is no simple matter. As the Buddha pointed out,
“To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to
one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control
one’s mind. If a man can control his
mind he can find the way to enlightenment and all wisdom and virtue will naturally
come to him.”
Buddha
The statements from Zoroaster are from around 2000 BC
, Proverbs is thought to be made up of some of the writings of Solomon
( 970–931 BC) and even the writings from the Buddha are from approximately
500 BC. In other words, the path that
leads to true understanding and wisdom has been clearly elucidated for several
millennium so why are we still struggling?
Well, as luck would have it, Proverbs has an explanation.
“..fools despise wisdom and instruction”
Proverbs 1.7
In other words fools deliberately choose another path.
Why would we make this choice to turn from wisdom and ignore guidance that
could help? Again, a proverb even suggests an underlying cause for these bad
choices.
“The complacency of fools is their undoing.”
Proverbs 1:32
So it seems a strange lethargy and carelessness leads
to loss on many fronts. Personal loss
is just one aspect but there are larger considerations too. The community does not flourish and develop
as it should and the fruits of such wisdom is lost to humanity.
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere.”
James 31.17
Without wisdom and understanding those longed for
fruits slip through our fingers. We have ever been urged to acquire knowledge.
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge”
Quran 20:14
To desire knowledge means humility is required not the
fool’s complacency. The fool’s pride allows him to assume he knows it all. That’s why guidance is despised. How do you fill a full cup? Submissive humility requires we put aside
the insistent self and make room for wisdom and understanding. It demands recognition of our essential
poverty.
“The essence of understanding is to testify to one’s
poverty, and submit to the Will of the Lord”
Bahá'u'lláh
It should not surprise us that the enlightened have ever pointed out the importance of wisdom and understanding. Urging us to choose the path towards truth and not falsehood over the millennia. It has never been easy but it has always been emphasised by those who knew the needs of their time. We should recognise the truth because it has ever been so.
“This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal
in the past, eternal in the future.”
Bahá'u'lláh
“The All-Knowing Physician hath His
finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in
His unerring wisdom, the remedy. “
Bahá'u'lláh
Through thousands and thousands of years the
guidance and remedy has consistently been given.
Do we choose complacency or search out truth because a world without
wisdom and knowledge is an unworthy choice even for fools.
