Our last article tackled wise judgment, through the story of the two women who came to King Solomon, the wisest king on earth, to judge between them, and his judgment showed the wisdom granted him by God. We also presented the story of a judge who used to judge citizens justly, prudently and wisely.
A wise person never hurries judgment:
Today, we continue talking about wisdom and judgment. The Scripture says: “Would a wise person answer with empty notions?” Accordingly, the wise person neither hastens in judging others, nor takes stances in their regard without knowing all the details of the issues, so his judgment or evaluation would definitely be just and right. Thus he never oppresses nor hurts anyone with his words.
Concerning the importance of perceiving things and their dimensions before judgment, I remember a very beautiful story.
An old man and his 25-year-old son were on an express train. The young man seemed to be so happy and delighted while sitting beside the window, and stretching his hands out, as if he wanted to catch the wind and he cried out joyfully saying: “Oh father, look at the trees, they are moving behind us!” Then the old man smiled at his son, expressing his happiness at his son’s joy.
A couple sat opposite them, listening to the dialogue between them, and they felt the old man’s embarrassment as a result of his son’s childish behavior! However, they were surprised when they heard the young man cry out once again, addressing his father thus: “Dad, look at the lake and the animals, look at the clouds moving with the train!” The more the young man acted up, the more the couple were amazed!!
When it started raining, the young man shouted joyfully, “Dad, look at the rain on my hand!!”
The couple could not hold their peace any longer, and asked the old man, “Why don’t you consult a doctor and find therapy for your son?!” “We have just come out of hospital”, the old man replied. “Today, my son can see for the first time in his life!”
The couple fell silent, for they realized that they might have hurt the father and his son by their clueless and unwise judgment.
A wise person doesn’t judge at face value:
The wise man is also aware and perceptive through his profound wisdom, able to judge those around him wisely and cautiously, for he does not judge according to appearances.
As he also perceives very well, the true richness of man originates from the richness of principles, ethics and love. Therefore, “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious” Not only his words, but also his feelings and his appreciation for everyone, great or small.
A little child walked into a crowded restaurant, climbed onto a stool, and asked one of the waitresses. “Do you have chocolate ice cream?”
“Yes”, she answered.
“How much?” he asked.
“Five pounds”, she answered.
The little boy kept silent for a little while, after that he asked. “How much is plain ice-cream?”
“Four pounds”, she replied impatiently.
Then he ordered a glass of plain ice cream.
The child was eating joyfully, after the waitress fetched him his order.
Some people had been waiting for the child to finish, as it was crowded and the waitress was very indignant, not only because the child was proud of himself in spite of his humble clothes, but also because he was eating very slowly and indifferently.
Finally, the child asked the waitress for the cheque, and left the money on the counter. She hurried to clean up the counter and take the money, and was stunned to find five pounds instead of four!!! The boy had deprived himself of the chocolate ice-cream and ordered plain ice-cream, so he could leave her a one-pound tip.
She was shocked that she judged the little boy according to his simple appearance, most rashly and unwisely.
Nor rushes to anger:
Thus, wise people are rational regarding their judgments and actions. Contrary to the fool who judges and acts proudly and rashly, so Wise Solomon says: “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Mongol warrior Genghis Khan’s best friend was a falcon, not a human being!!! Genghis Khan used to carry his favorite falcon on his arm wherever he went, because it was so helpful to him on hunting trips, guiding him to the prey, it was the best specimen of the sincerest friend, despite its silence!
One day, Genghis went out with only his falcon. After a long walk in a deserted place, he was thirsty, when he found a spring of water down the mountain, and stooped down to fill his cup, but just as he was about to drink the water, the falcon flew up, plucked the cup from his hands, and poured it out on the ground! Then Genghis filled the cup again, and as soon as he raised it to his mouth, the falcon again flew up, attacked it, spilling the water with its wings!!
The same thing happened again, but this time Genghis was furious and drew his sword, so when the falcon again took flight and flew towards him to spill the water, he – with one thrust of the sword – beheaded it!
A moment later, Genghis looked at the spring and noticed a big pool of water surrounded by rocks, and a large poisonous dead snake in the pool!! Then, he finally realized that his friend had been keen to preserve his life, but alas, it was too late!
Genghis took his friend the dead falcon in his arms, and ordered a gold figurine of the faithful falcon to be sculpted, also ordering two phrases to be engraved on its wings.
The first was: “Even when a friend does something you do not like, he continues to be your friend.” The second phrase was: “Any action committed in anger is doomed to failure and remorse.”
Hence, the question, asked by Jeremiah the prophet, is still to be asked: “Who is the wise man who may understand this?”
To be continued…
