I have several other thoughts about wisdom. For example, are wise people those who stand by and judge from the sidelines rather than people who get involved in the hurly burly of life? I would also ask - if you are in possession of wisdom do you have to be wise all the time or can you sometimes take your wise hat off and be playful or silly? Is wisdom always connected with seriousness?
Do wise people avoid unhealthy foods and alcoholic beverages? Do they play word games on their smartphones? Do they even have smartphones? Are wise people ultra-careful with money - investing it in sensible places and do wise people support charities?
When you are wise, I guess that sometimes you will bristle when you encounter stupidity or foolishness. However, is that bristling a wise reaction? Wouldn't it be better to smile sagely, unruffled by daftness and walk away?
Do you need to be old to be wise or can younger people also possess wisdom? Is wisdom something that can only really be gained through experience of life? Or are you somehow genetically blessed with wisdom?
Dowism is an anagram of wisdom but who the hell was Dow? Perhaps Charles Dow - shown at the top - who died in 1902 and was the founder of Dow Jones. He was also the co-founder of "The Wall Street Journal". Maybe he was wise or maybe he wasn't. Was it wise to have so much facial hair that he could not locate his mouth?
2 Y's U R,
ReplyDelete2 Y's U B,
I C U R
2 Y's 4 ME!
Clever!
DeleteTrue wisdom won't bristle at foolishness because wisdom will recognise it for what it is.
ReplyDeleteWise people can be fun, in fact I could probably even argue that if you can't have fun, you can't be wise.
Is wise guy the same as smart alec?
Kylie, your final sentence made me laugh. For reasons I'd better keep to myself. Eggshells and all that.
DeleteU
A wise guy is funnier than a smart alec. Wise guys don't take themselves too seriously - unless their name is Homer or Emmanuel Kant.
DeleteAnd that is much food for thought!
ReplyDeleteYup! Gobble up love!
DeleteYou ask some very good questions. I think you have started a very long discussion and there could be many points of view.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wise comment Red!
DeleteNorman Wisdom lived in our Sussex village, and his son was our gardener (for a short while; he was useless and too expensive).
ReplyDeleteI expect he based one of his comedy characters upon you.
DeleteWas it wise to dedicate an entire blog post to wisdom?
ReplyDeleteAs for Charles Dow's facial hair - I guess that wasn't wise. Imagine how easily food and drink spills would stick to all that hair! And I don't even WANT to imagine what it must have felt like to kiss him.
What? You wouldn't have kissed Nietzsche - if only out of compassion?
DeleteAs to your question: Do you remember "Begriffsabgrenzung" im Deutschunterricht? You were given, by way of example: Intelligence, Cleverness, Wisdom. Discuss. HA! Loved it. And I am afraid that's where YP's post fails. It's too undifferentiated. But then, benefit of the doubt, maybe he wants to keep his readers on their toes.
U
Maybe like kissing the anus of a grizzly bear.
DeleteThe cartoon at the end explains wisdom nicely. I know for sure I am wise enough to know that I am stupid.
ReplyDeleteThere , there Miss Elsie! You do not seem stupid to me at all.
DeleteI thought that was Rylan Clark.....you might need to look him up, doubt if you have heard of him!!
ReplyDeleteOf course I have heard of Rylan Clark, Frances! In "Gogglebox" one of the old ladies in Bristol said of him... "You know! That one who looks like The Yorkshire Ripper"!
DeleteBronowski believed we needed “democracy of the intellect”, where knowledge sits with people who have no ambition to control others.
ReplyDeleteDid n't he have a band - The Bronowski Beat?
Delete:-D
DeleteNorman Wisdom lived near JayCee and Rick Wakeman on the IOM.
ReplyDeleteHe did indeed. A lovely man who was very generous and well liked here.
DeleteAnd that is where he died Dave. He is buried in Bride Church just a mile or so beyond Ramsey. An inscription on the gravestone reads "Remembered With A Laugh". On yours it will probably say, "Remembered with a Japanese Onion".
Deleteas i once proclaimed.... i should have been a philosopher... i mean i really like stamps! Isn't philosophy the study of wisdom?
ReplyDeletePhil O'Sophy led an Irish showband.
DeleteWise or wiseass? Am I wise or experienced? I have learned to not let bother me, things that in the past would have. I have learned to find happiness and joy in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteCa n you give me directions to the same?
DeleteI know wise people who make stupid choices and not-so-wise folks who always do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI think in terms of book smart and street smart; each one is valid in its own way but people need some of each to get through life.
What a wise thing to say Bob! Are you the Confucius of Camden SC?
DeleteI think a person can be wise about some things but maybe no one is wise about all things.
ReplyDeleteSome very wise comments appearing on this blog. And I loved Norman Wisdom when I was a littl'un.
ReplyDeleteThe meme is great. This subject arose last night with my cohabitees when I was accused of being wise. I replied I am not but I've Iived much longer that you, so I know more, and I have experience. So no, you cannot put the doona in the washing machine. It is too big and will take days to dry. Take it to the laundromat.
ReplyDeleteWise after the event - the story of my life (maybe)
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