Chapter 1


INTRODUCTION TO WISDOM

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


Meaning Of Wisdom
         The following are possible definitions of wisdom:
  1. Wisdom is applied knowledge.


  2. Wisdom is the ability to make the best use of knowledge and experience.


  3. Wisdom is the application of realities of life in an honest way to accomplish a set goal.


  4. Wisdom is the sensible use of resources.


  5. Wisdom can also be defined as intelligence or applied intelligence: the ability to effect desired goals, using knowledge, skills, foresight, understanding and counsel.


  6. Wisdom is a master virtue, which co-ordinates all the other virtues. Therefore, wisdom is the ability to honestly apply knowledge, virtues, skills and means, as well as foresight, insight and understanding to achieve a desired end. Honest in the sense that the application and end must not deny another person of his rights and privileges.


  7. Wisdom is the true understanding of causes; knowing why things are the way they are. This is deeper than merely knowing that things are in existence.


  8. A person can be said to have become wise when he could see what should be done and does it successfully without being told to do so.


  9. According to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, researchers in the field of positive psychology have defined wisdom as the co-ordination of "knowledge and experience" and "its deliberate use to improve well being."


Who Is Wise?
         The wise man is expected to have good and broad knowledge, experience, understanding, insight, foresight and counsel. He should be polite, respectful, observant, ready to listen and/or co-operate.
         In Buddhism, a wise person is someone endowed with good bodily conduct, good verbal conduct, and good mental conduct. Such a wise person performs actions that give good results, though the actions may be unpleasant to do. Also, he does not perform actions that give bad results, though such actions are pleasant to do.
         Wisdom is the antidote to the poison of ignorance. More of Buddha’s words about wisdom include:
  1. The wise man carefully discriminates between right and wrong. The use of force does not make a person wise.


  2. The wise man leads others by non-violence. He is indeed a guardian of justice, wisdom and righteousness.


  3. The wise man is calm, free from hatred and fear, acting alike to both friends and foes.


  4. A person who talks too much is not considered a wise fellow.


  5. The wise man understands both good and evil as they really are.


  6. In Taoism, wisdom is determined by adherence to the Three Treasures of Taoism: charity, simplicity, and humility.



What Is A Wise Man Like?
He is like a lamp
     Which has oil and wick.
     And burns continuously,
     To provide light in the midst of darkness.

He stands up like the sunrise
     Which shines brightly and gloriously.
     All through the day,
     Conserving enough for the night.

After others have spoken
     All eyes are on him.
     And the ears expectant,
     The mood inviting

When he coughs,
     others listen.
     And when he speaks,
     They understand.

If he pauses in his speech,
     The audience waits.
     And when he continues,
     They are eager to hear more.

Should anyone cough here or there,
     “Hold it,” one would caution.
     “Don’t disturb,” another would add.
     Because all want to hear the voice of wisdom.

Should a person prolong his speech,
     “It is enough,” a fellow would say.
     “Yes, round up,” another demands.
     All because people want to hear wisdom.

His words are like choice wine
     the taste of which is knowledge
     the depth is insight
     and the reach is foresight.

When he concludes
     “Good speech.”
     “Well spoken.”
     “That is right.”

Are what you hear
    amidst applauses
    and rounds of ovation.
    Even demands for more.

Types Of Wisdom
         Two broad types of wisdom are worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is selfish and bent on cheating others, while Godly wisdom is honest and is devoid of evil.

Trends And Realities
         We all know that there are moral decadence, falling standard of education, economic downturn etc. These are signs that people are guided by worldly wisdom. Generally, people seek personal interest to the neglect of public interest. In the process of doing this, principles of love, peace and justice are overlooked. Therefore, crimes and sufferings abound. Behold, it is mankind that hold themselves in bondage.

Importance Of Wisdom
  1. Wisdom makes us careful.


  2. It helps us predict the future.


  3. It directs us to take necessary steps to prevent unpleasant developments.


  4. It enables us understand difficult and intricate situations.


  5. It ensures effective management of human and material resources.


  6. It guides us in our research and investigation, thereby makes known the hidden realities for reliable conclusions.


  7. Wisdom helps us in making decisions and in determining the appropriateness/relevance of actions.


  8. Wisdom enlightens and directs us in the manipulation of events and realities.


  9. Wisdom is like sign post which guide us in the paths of righteousness.


  10. It is invaluable in the settlement of cases of dispute and in the proving of crime and criminals.


  11. Wisdom is a master virtue because it helps us co-ordinates our thoughts, utterances and actions based on knowledge, understanding, experiences, foresight, insight, skills and means.


  12. It gives us the understanding to know the end from the beginning, and the beginning from the end.


Strength is good;
Knowledge is better;
And,
Wisdom is the best.

Sources Of Wisdom
         The only source of righteous wisdom is God. The wisdom of God leads to life and righteousness. Before and during creation, God was His own counselor (source of wisdom). His thought was His source of wisdom. He counseled Himself by His thoughts.

         The Quran states: "He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding." (2:269)