Knowledge Is Not Wisdom.
Why do you know what you know? And what are you doing about it?
The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we stand, but in which direction we are going.
When Greek philosopher Pythagoras reached Egypt to enter a school, a secret esoteric school of mysticism, he was refused entry. And Pythagoras Was one of the best minds ever produced. He could not understand it. He applied again and again, but was told that unless he goes through a particular training of fasting and breathing he cannot be allowed entry.
Pythagoras is reported to have said: "I have come for knowledge, not for any sort of discipline." But the school authorities said: "We cannot give you knowledge unless you are different. And really, we are not interested in knowledge at all; we are interested in actual experience. No knowledge is knowledge unless it is lived and experienced.
Knowledge alone does not result in clear vision, a proper perspective, meaning, and the right behavior. But when this transformation does occur, we call it wisdom.
Knowledge is not wisdom. There is a big difference. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge. To be more precise, wisdom is knowledge that has been applied in a way that takes into account all its pertinent relationships and that is consistent with universal laws.
Confucius stated that wisdom can be learned by three methods: Reflection (the noblest), imitation (the easiest) and experience (the bitterest).
Martin Vanbee says, Knowledge too, is a funny thing. It can deceive us into thinking we are wise. Knowledge alone is not wisdom. For example, have you ever known someone who is incredibly smart, maybe they get straight A's in school, or maybe they have several degrees, and yet their life is a complete mess? They have not yet learned how to apply the knowledge they have.
Common sense is a part of wisdom. Common sense is applying knowledge to solve the everyday problems common to all people in a way that is better than that which might come naturally. Knowledge that doesn't take shape in deeds, that doesn't apply itself to life, is trivia. If one can't apply it, it's just knowledge for knowledge sake; it's just something to get intellectual about. Knowledge alone leads to arrogance. This is not to undervalue knowledge, but there must be some thinking as to what are the ends of the knowledge being attained.
History tells us that we haven't learned much in spite of all we know. The situation changes, but the problems remain the same. Clearly, we need to do something better with all of this information.
Socrates regarded as one of the great teachers of all time. He believed that there were different kinds of knowledge, important and trivial. He acknowledges that most of us know many "trivial" things. He states that the craftsman possesses important knowledge, the practice of his craft, but this is important only to himself, the craftsman. But this is not the important knowledge that Socrates is referring to.
The most important of all knowledge is "how best to live." He posits that this is not easily answered, and most people live in shameful ignorance regarding matters of ethics and morals. Wisdom requires humility. You must be teachable. If you are to put these things into practice, you must be willing to take a look at what you thought you knew about yourself and the ideas you hold. It requires an outward focus not a selfish one.
The great end of life is not knowledge but action.
