What is Wisdom?

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Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the word wisdom as “the quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity (penetrating intelligence and sound judgment).” In this paper, I will present my interpretation of one instance of how wisdom is obtained and hopefully passed on.

I perceive wisdom as the ability to make the best decision or select the best course of action according to the current situation with respect to prior similar situations and their outcomes. Wisdom is what I like to call acquired knowledge over time and experience. Wisdom is often associated with a formal education. On the other hand, you may not be formally educated, but still considered wise. As wisdom is acquired, situations are looked at in a different light. Let’s use children as an example.

As babies and small children, we view our parents as role models. We emulate them as we get older. When most children reach adolescence, they think they are grown, know everything, and their parents don’t know anything. They can’t wait to get out on their own so they don’t have to follow any of those constricting rules placed upon them by their parents while they live under their parent’s roof. For the children that venture out on their own and either without their parent’s help or with just enough help to get set up, reality hits rather quickly. Out on their own, children start to see ju...

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