The Love of Wisdom

The Love of Wisdom

Wisdom, the study of philosophy itself is enlightenment and a different perception on the world and the knowledge of its happenings. It is impossible to read the book of Proverbs and not get the message that wisdom waits. It serves one better to be patient. As a general principle for practicing one's priorities, know that it is better to wait and do nothing than to rush in and do the wrong thing.

The dictionary observes that wisdom is "experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically and practically" (Oxford Canadian Dictionary), therefore to be wise one must have gone through past experiences and have present knowledge, but the bible declares that wisdom is God, and knowledge and wisdom come from God, "It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding."(Proverbs 2:6). One can have knowledge but if they do not have understanding, it is considered redundant. The knowledge of the Lord is understanding wisdom thus wisdom is gained from him, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding," (Proverbs 9:10). The encyclopaedia says that "wisdom is an anthropological ability to cope with life" (The Encyclopaedia of Religion), to have this effort in coping with the world issues one must have understanding and knowledge of what is going on, to gain this, one must be wise.

Wisdom's characteristics are prevalent in Philosophy itself as it questions the life we live and how we can greater understand what's around us, a heightened perception. Wisdom can also be considered the differentiation between right and wrong choices, "Only by pride come contention: but with the well advised come wisdom" (Proverbs 13:10), arrogance causes nothing but trouble therefore it is much wiser to ask for advice though it is an aspect of our morality and generally justifies one's intention for the world. Honesty and all-around being genuine defines one with Wisdom. Being humble is also a trait that comes from the wise. If one cannot be neither humble nor modest and ask for advice or help others when in need, one cannot have the knowledge to be wise, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).

"Though reason must play its part, all knowledge must start with the senses" (King , 102). To apply wisdom to one's daily life one must also have the obvious, common sense. Common sense, used with one's knowledge and understanding will broaden one's intellectual horizons and help develop a sense of intelligence and self exploration. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-7) The Lord will guide you and lead you into the right directions in