Intelligence and intellectuality play conspicuous roles in our lives.
But wisdom supersedes them. It offers a more pragmatic, profound, and meaningful approach to living.
Intellectuals know how to think. Intelligent people know how to apply their education and knowledge skillfully.
On the other hand, wise people discern how to live, combining their knowledge, experience, and perception to form valued opinions and judgements.
Wisdom is a multifaceted construct. It includes consistency, stability, purity of thought, rationality of circumstances, patience, and selflessness.
It’s about planting a tree today, knowing you may never enjoy its shade or fruits when it grows fully.
Wisdom is the capacity to have foreknowledge of something, to perceive the consequences, positive and negative, of the feasible courses of action, and to take the best of the available options.
Wisdom’s Fundamentals
Wisdom fundamentals integrate keen observation, a transparent attitude, sensitive awareness and moral maturity. They demand humility and conscientious thinking.
Wisdom goes beyond intellectual brilliance. It encompasses an ability to understand human behaviour’s subtleties and to pursue virtuous consequences of actions.
A wise person balances intellect and prudent thinking with a strong sense of ethical and emotional intelligence.
Compromise and acceptance of uncertainty are integral to wisdom.
It carries the merits of righteousness and the desire to do good to others and society.
Wise people recognize the limitations of knowledge and even reasoning. They understand that life is a load of uncertainties. Rather than chasing definitive answers, they are comfortable with ambiguity and doubt.
Wisdom blocks heated discussions. Instead, it encourages dialogue, listening to understand other perspectives and finding common ground for resolution. A wise person prioritizes resolution, and that truth can wait rather than winning arguments.
Growth of Wisdom
Albert Einstein says, “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”
It grows from a combination of lived experiences, thoughtful reflection, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to values.
Wisdom is less about intellectual achievement. Instead, it’s more about insight into life’s complexities, an understanding of what truly matters, and the ability to act accordingly.
Wisdom is disciplined by patience, guided and steered by ethical values.
It integrates knowledge with personal experiences, sound discernment, intuition and reflection.
Beyond Knowledge and Logic
Wise individuals may not know everything, but they understand how to apply what they know. Their judgment is often grounded in empathy, common sense, and an understanding of human sensibility.
A wise person is a rational thinker, socially and emotionally mature, and radiates calmness, patience, and understanding.
Wisdom involves thinking and listening with broader perspectives.
It’s about understanding and connecting with others’ experiences and viewpoints rather than simply possessing or showcasing knowledge.
Wisdom is anti-narcissistic and shallow in ego.
Balance is a critical criterion of wisdom.
Wise individuals are attuned to the emotional and human dimensions of situations, understanding that logic alone is not enough to solve life’s complex problems. They consider feelings, relationships, and ethical principles when making decisions.
Being wise means handling emotions and situations maturely and listening more than speaking.
Humour in Wisdom
In addition to all the attributes of wise individuals, they exhibit a witty and spontaneous sense of humour. Being in the company of wise people is a delightful and gratifying learning experience.
Wisdom in Old Age
Wisdom is an asset for all age groups, notably for older people.
Does wisdom grow with age?
There is mixed evidence on its relationship with age. As life experiences are one of the bases for developing wisdom, old age can make older people wiser. However, research also shows that wisdom can decline or remain stable as a person ages.
While age brings experience, wisdom doesn’t arrive automatically with grey hair. One must seek and nurture it with calm and controlled emotions, learn from past experiences, periodically review mindset views, and express more compliments and less complaining.
Wisdom is a sentiment, attitude, or behaviour toward life that creates a peaceful, harmonious and respectful relationship with society while developing clear consciousness.
