About Wisdom vs. With Wisdom

Talking about wisdom is a good first step. Taking time to reflect is another.

Dream of Solomon by Luca Giordano, c. 1695 (public domain - Wikipedia)

“Wisdom enters not into a malicious mind, and that knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.” — Francois Rabelais, 1534

We can stand in the agora or on a digital street corner and try to define wisdom in dozens of ways. But possibly the best way to consider wisdom is through example.

Consider King Solomon of Israel. He was a significant Biblical figure also recognized in the Quran and Hadiths as enormously wealthy and wise, achieving prophet status.

When he was young, he made sacrifices to God and asked for a discerning and understanding heart. Impressed that he made a request that would benefit his people rather than himself, God granted wisdom to Solomon.

The classic story that demonstrates his wisdom is known as the Judgment of Solomon. Two women claimed to be the mother of a baby, and in order to determine the real mother, Solomon suggests that the baby be cut in two and each woman be given one ha…