What is wisdom?

Wisdom is the ability to choose the most applicable universal principle in a timely matter to a particular situation so that a decision can be made.

We generally understand what it means to be wise, most people can differentiate a wise decision between and an unwise decision and most people can recognize a wise person. However, very few of us can readily explain what wisdom is.

For example, most wisdom seekers have an idea of what is meant by the phrase "uncommon common sense". Try coming up with an illustrative example.

In many societies people seek the advice of an older person or a religious or a spiritual mentor when they are in a dilemma. Mentors guide us by giving us the right principle to resolve our dilemma. Mentor is wiser than the mentee and the mentor passes on his wisdom to his mentee. Mentors are usually more knowledgeable than the mentees.

This is why wisdom is often thought of as some superior form knowledge, and sometimes as a collection of proverbs that illustrate a deeper understanding of things around us. Witty statements of an irony of life are considered wise. Wisdom is NOT any form of knowledge.

Having said that, Wisdom is akin to any other ability we learn. For example, we can learn how to ride a bicycle. In the same manner, we can learn to be wise.

What is more likely to happen when people do not know the importance of learning to be wise?

You will see my answer in the next post.