Wisdom’s Call

Wisdom’s Call

Above all else, we must listen to Wisdom, not what we hear on the news.

We are at a crossroads; at least I am. I like to think that the path I am on is the correct path, but with the many hats I wear, I can never be too sure what path I pull from the nether regions. I know to true comfort and maybe true happiness, I must search for Wisdom. She stands at the portico of the next phase of my life. If I listen, She cries out to me, offering what is true, offering prudence, offering truly unobstructed justice in my daily life. If I take the time to listen for her.

Wisdom detests evil and only speaks words that are just, uncorrupted by perversity, misrepresentation, or deception.

It’s not easy tuning all other voices out of our radio brains. Wherever we turn, there are people who profess a very limited view on just about every topic imaginable. And, sometimes, I seem to be one of them.

I teach freshmen comp in college; I am a stickler for rules. As a result, some, not all, of my students think that all of the rules are absolutely ridiculous. And, they are correct. I do this to allow the students to develop disciplined minds that will offer well-balanced arguments. In other words, they must train their minds to think about what they are writing. In reality, the way they write is unimportant; it’s what they say that is. I pray that my stringency can pay off for them in the long run.

This seems to be a weak excuse for defending my likeness to other voices. I like to think that what I have to say is at least closer to what Wisdom offers, and not what some narrow-minded philosophy professes. At times, I walk a fine line between the two.

I wrote an essay on Wisdom in my graduate work, and in the middle of the essay I referred to the sculptures of Socrates in deep concentration and Athena, the goddess of Wisdom, ready for war. Socrates is considered to be one of the greatest minds in history; thus, he is shown seated with his elbow and his knee and his chin resting on his upturned hand. A pose of deep concentration, i.e. Rodin’s The Thinker.

On the other hand, Athena, the Greek goddess of Wisdom is always shown prepared for battle. I know, she was also the goddess of war. But why the two? Why the different portrayals.

As much as I love the statues and painting of Socrates in deep concentration, I think the images of Athena are probably more apropos.

Wisdom is always in a battle for Truth; notice the capitals. Truth is capitalized because there is only one truth. Wisdom know this truth. Socrates, one of the greatest thinkers, must search for Truth, lest he fail. His is the more difficult task. But, both are vitally important.

God gives us the gift to accept, understand, and teach true Wisdom. We have to work to achieve this.

One last note; isn’t it interesting that both Greek and Roman deities for Wisdom are female!!