Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech. (Proverbs 1:20–21, NIV)
Wisdom invites people to learn from her, but she does so not from the ivory tower but outside, in the public square and public places of the city. Wisdom is developed only in experience. No matter how hard they study, the graduates of medical school, law school, and business school will become truly wise in their fields only out in the open, that is, in real-life experience.
Proverbs is not an “inspirational” book with statements that immediately jump off the page at you. Wisdom cannot be conveyed by a series of TED talks or “executive briefings.” It is inaccessible to people too busy for its method. It comes through first with experience and then with deep, honest reflection on that experience.
The journey from the Proverbs of Solomon to the writings of Socrates (via his student Plato) is not as strange as one might seem:
Wisdom is humility, accepting that we know very little or nothing at all.
Socrates describes this conclusion when he states “I am wiser than that man. Neither of us probably knows anything worthwhile; but he thinks he does when he does not, and I do not and do not think I do”. Socrates is considered the wisest man in Athens by the Oracle, because instead of assuming he possesses wisdom, he accepts that wisdom is often unattainable and that we should instead continuously pursue new and truer knowledge. (from Plato’s Apology)
Socratic wisdom, then, is humility: a recognition of your own ignorance.
To continually move past this ignorance, the Socratic method uses questions to examine the values, principles, and beliefs of students in a dialogue, not a one-sided monologue by the teacher.
Wisdom emerges only as we ask thought-provoking, searching questions:
- When did I last see this illustrated in my life or someone else’s?
- Where do I need to practice this?
- How would my life be different if I did?
- What wrong thinking and attitudes result when I forget this?
Jesus, often spoke in parables and answered questions with other questions, trying to get us to reflect, think, and grow in wisdom (Matthew 13:10; Luke 20:4; John 16:29).
What has happened to you recently that was significantly good or difficult? Have you reflected on it with others to learn wisdom from it?
I’m reminded of a wise saying by my father:
It’s okay to be ignorant – it just means you haven’t learned something yet. Just don’t be stupid – stupid is terminal.
Doc Adams
My journey to becoming a Modern Elder is all about reciprocity.
Giving and receiving. Teaching and learning. Speaking and listening.
Everyone gets older, but not everyone gets elder.
The first just happens (if you’re lucky and healthy). The other you have to earn.
Adapted from God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Tim and Kathy Keller, and Wisdom@Work by Chip Conley
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