In our previous article, we discussed wisdom and its value as the most precious gem for which humanity searched throughout all ages, then we demonstrated that the source of wisdom is God the Omniscient and He is the one who bestows it on man who develops it through wise counsel, accompanying wise people, reading, meditation and experience acquired by man through his own and others’ experiences. Today we will mention types of wisdom and attributes of the wise.
First: Types of Wisdom:
There are two types of wisdom: the first is earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom and the second is heavenly, the Scripture says: “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”.
Therefore, earthly wisdom is almost slyness or cunning, its outcomes perhaps impressive to some, but they are temporary and corrupt. For example, Absalom’s scheme against his father David to win over the people’s hearts and reign instead of him, in spite of the success of that plan at first and David’s escape from the face of his son Absalom, eventually led to Absalom’s death.
So earthly wisdom that’s distant from God causes partiality, confusion and evil outcomes, such as a person who uses his intelligence to exclude or harm a colleague either in the workplace, place of study or residence, or to take possession of a position unworthily. Definitely, its outcome will be painful. Hence, Solomon the wise says: “Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom”.
As for heavenly wisdom, it is pure, peace seeking, full of gentleness and mercy to everyone, and its outcome will be fruitful for everyone. For instance, the wisdom of Joseph before Pharaoh saved the land of Egypt from severe famine.
Likewise, Abigail’s wise conversation with David the prophet, when he wanted to kill her husband Nabal, who had taunted David while fleeing Saul’s pursuit. When Abigail learned what Nabal had done, she hastened to meet David, and through her wise speech, kept David from bloodshed, such that he told her: “And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand… unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!”
Nowadays, heavenly wisdom is considered by some a sort of weakness or inappropriate for the times, it may also seem to some irrational or weak, yet its outcome at every age proves it is welfare for everybody.
Second: Attributes of the Wise:
A wise person is humble.
Once Socrates was asked: “Why are you the wisest of men in Greece?” He answered: “For I alone know one thing, and that is that I know nothing!”
Therefore, there is a strong relationship between wisdom and humility, so Wise Solomon says: “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” It is said that Knowledge boasts of its vast information, while Wisdom is humble in being aware of its limited Knowledge. It is also said that man learns wisdom through humility, and he who increases in humility increases in wisdom.
A wise person is also longsuffering and patient.
For instance, Scripture tells of Moses the prophet who was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and to whom God granted a very special wisdom in order to lead the people: “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” One of the Fathers says: “Patience is a companion of wisdom”, and one of the wise men said: “All human wisdom can be summed up in two words ‘patience’ and ‘faith’ “.
Meekness is another characteristic of a wise man.
The Scripture says: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”, thus wisdom is characterized by meekness and the wise man is a meek person, therefore he also can win others through his meekness, “And he who wins souls is wise.”
So the meek man is a comforting person, dealing with each and every person through kindness and friendliness, as a result he wins everybody. And if someone insults him, he repays insult with patience, love and moderation.
A story I once read comes to mind about a wise old man, who sat by the banks of the river pondering the beauty of nature around him. Suddenly, he saw a scorpion that had fallen into the water, and was trying to save itself from drowning! Then the wise man decided to save him and when he had stretched out his hand to it, the scorpion stung him, so he withdrew his hand, crying out in severe pain. Yet, after just one minute, he stretched out his hand once again to save it. The scorpion stung him again; one minute later, for the third time he tried!!
Another man had been sitting close by, observing what was happening. He cried out saying: “Oh, wise man, why haven’t you learned from the first and second attempt, and behold, you are trying for the third time?!” The wise man paid no attention to the rebuke of this man and he continued trying, until he saved the scorpion.
Then he went to that man, and patted him on the shoulder saying: “Brother, the scorpion’s nature is to sting, and mine is “to love and show compassion”, then why do you want me to let its nature overcome mine?!!”
Such are some attributes of the wise. As Solomon said: “Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her before scepters and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her.”
To be continued…
