“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.” [1] - Sandra Carey
In Proverbs we are admonished that “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” [2] God tells us here, and in many other places in the scriptures, specifically to seek wisdom. Many people interpret wisdom and knowledge to have identical meanings and use the words interchangeably. However, there are many instances in the scriptures where the words “knowledge” and “wisdom” are used in the same verse, obviously having different meanings. What is the difference between the two? A wise man once answered this inquiry with the statement that “Knowledge is being aware that fire can burn; wisdom is remembering the blister.” [3] Knowledge is memorized facts and figures, while wisdom is found in the ability to apply this knowledge and the lessons learned.
We live in a world where knowledge and institutional learning is highly prized as a measure of a person’s worth. Why then, if knowledge is so valued, why should we seek for wisdom? What makes it so important? Robert Green Ingersoll said of common sense (also known as wisdom) that “It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.” [4] Still, upon what basis does he make this statement? I knew a girl in high school who could memorize any fact or figure that the teacher threw at her. She knew all the right equations, all the correct tables and charts. But when it came to applying her knowledge in an experiment, she was lost. She didn’t have the wisdom necessary to complete the experiment, and thus her knowledge was useless. Life is like that too. Most of life is comprised of situations in which you won’t be able to whip out a scripture, recite it out to your personal demons, and have everything bad go away. We have to have the wisdom to apply our knowledge to the situation.
How then do we gain wisdom? In the Book of Mormon, Jacob shares some insight: “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.” [5] In this scripture it is implied that the “wisdom” of the world is not wisdom at all. Rather, we must turn away from the world’s understanding and turn to our Father in Heaven for wisdom.
How do we turn to our Father for wisdom? It is taught in the book of Alma that we must “keep the commandment of God,” [6] and that doing so brings wisdom. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that we must seek “out of the best books words of wisdom…by study and also by faith.” [7] It is my opinion that the best books would include the scriptures, which are God’s words to us. We must study them and have faith in the wisdom we receive. Finally and most importantly, wisdom can also be found by turning to our Father in prayer. It was through prayer that Joseph Smith first learned that none of the churches on the earth at that time were true, and that he must join none of them. The greatest revelations recorded throughout history have been initiated through prayer.
Charles H. Spurgeon said that “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” [8] Even if we follow the world’s definition of wisdom and seek only institutional learning, our knowledge will bring us no wisdom in the eyes of the world. But if we humble ourselves and turn to the Father for true wisdom, we will gain wisdom in His sight and the sight of men. That is the principle thing.
Citations:
1) heartquotes.net/wisdom.html
2) Proverbs 4:7
3) thinkexist.com
4) http://www.wow4u.com/wisdom-quotes/index.html
5) 2 Nephi 9:28
6) Alma 37:35
7) D&C 109:7
8) thinkexist.com
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7 comments:
I really like the wide range of sources that you chose for the quotations. It was hard to find your paragraphs breaks, so please use the editing pencil at the bottom of your blogpost to open up your essay in html. Then you can insert a hard return to indicate a new paragraph.
I loved how you started off your blog by pointing out that knowledge and wisdom are two different things. You had a wonderful blog. THanks for sharing it!
Michelle,
Great Job on your blog. I think that the difference between knowledge and wisdom. My old bishop's favorite saying before each school year was to gain knowlegde with an eye of wisdom. It is important to think of wisdom as a prinicpal to practice and to gain wisdom along side knowlegde.
You did a really good job on this! I love how you distinguished between wisdom and knowledge. I think that this is a concept that sometimes gets lost or forgotten about. Nice work.
Your introduction was very good, and I liked how you distinguished between knowledge and wisdom through a variety of sources and angles. Good job!
I liked how you stated the difference between knowledge and wisdom, that the former is memorized facts while the latter is the ability to apply what we've learned. This is really important to remember especially while we are seeking a higher education here at BYU. Thank you! Great job.
Clever opening quote! I liked how you emphasized wisdom being the application of knowledge. I liked your supporting quotes, too. Thank you!
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