Wisdom Aborning 9-18-2010

  I thank my incarceration for leading me to read Wisdom and Sirach from the Oxford Catholic Bible. I should also give thanks for being led to St. Augustine's Confessions. I suggest all three books to my fellow Protestants. This passage comes from The Confessions, IX, x (24):

And when our conversation had arrived at that point, that the very highest pleasure of the carnal senses, and that in the very brightest material light, seemed by reason of the sweetness of that life not only not worthy of comparison, but not even of mention, we, lifting ourselves with a more ardent affection towards the Selfsame, did gradually pass through all corporeal things, and even the heaven itself, whence sun, and moon, and stars shine upon the earth; yea, we soared higher yet by inward musing, and discoursing, and admiring Your works; and we came to our own minds, and went beyond them, that we might advance as high as that region of unfailing plenty, where You feed Israel for ever with the food of truth, and where life is that Wisdom by whom all these things are made, both which have been, and which are to come; and she is not made, but is as she has been, and so shall ever be; yea, rather, to have been, and to be hereafter, are not in her, but only to be, seeing she is eternal, for to have been and to be hereafter are not eternal. And while we were thus speaking, and straining after her, we slightly touched her with the whole effort of our heart; and we sighed, and there left bound the first-fruits of the Spirit; Romans 8:23 and returned to the noise of our own mouth, where the word uttered has both beginning and end. And what is like Your Word, our Lord, who remains in Himself without becoming old, and makes all things new? Wisdom 7:27

I suspect other religions share similar reverence for wisdom. I cannot think of a philosophy that does not seek wisdom.

When I succumbed to nihilism, I gave up seeking wisdom. I ought to have known better, but the voice in my head kept telling me I was wrong, and I gave up hope. (By the way, I suggest reading C.S. Lewis' view of hope in his Mere Christianity,) What are you doing about seeking wisdom? Where does wisdom fit into your list of values.

[One thing I did not do back in 2010 was define wisdom. I do not recall having had access to a dictionary in the VOA halfway house. Here I have Google at my beck and call. From Cambridge University:

 the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments...

Yes, those words have enough leeway to keep one occupied in hairsplitting, but those not prone to hairsplitting I think can agree to a common understanding for practical use. sch 5/29/2023.]

I ask those questions, having asked them of myself. If you really want to bring on another American Revolution or the Apocalypse, then let us place wisdom, not riches, as the paramount American value.

I am crazy and stupid, but not nearly so crazy and/or stupid to think this will happen. But I do not think we are incapable of underestimating the value of wisdom. What do you think?

sch