IF WISDOM WERE HORSES
Sadly, wisdom is the exclusive preserve of a few. It is not acquired but endowed. The day wisdom becomes common knowledge, it ceases to be wisdom. For there to be wise men, there must be foolish men for contrast. Of course, this is not rocket science because light shines brightest in the darkest place. Foolishness can be likened to being blindfolded and to be eternally convinced that you should remain so. Wise men would rather foolish men didn't get wise.
However, the fools outsmart each other, thinking they are wise. But the wise stand aloof savouring the pleasure of it. Ignorance is the bedrock of foolishness. Being ignorantly ignorant is the most hopeless situation in life for anyone, it is like an entangled yarn. Knowledge is scattered everywhere for whoever cares to acquire it, but not everyone goes for it. Knowledge in itself without understanding (which will ensure the proper application of it) is useless. The appropriate application of knowledge is the pride of wisdom. Unfortunately, wisdom cannot be taught in a didactic way.
Experience plays some role in acquisition of wisdom, but "age" cannot lay full claim to same. Age only provides the time opportunity for acquisition of experience vis-à-vis wisdom, if you make the best use of it. It is no wonder these days you see foolish oldies and wise youngsters. No one ever agrees to be foolish but it doesn't erase the fact. (Ponder on this for a minute.) But the end surely justifies the means.
Wait! Do not confuse smartness with wisdom, they play different roles. Smartness in its crude sense is a counterfeit of wisdom. It can be used negatively or positively, but it only lives for the moment. Smartness lacks future insight, unlike wisdom. That is why the former is a cheaper "commodity" and the latter is like a precious stone. Although largely endowed rather than acquired, I make bold to say that, there are only a thousand and one steps required in switching from foolishness to wisdom. I can only tell you the first step- ' the fear of God '. The rest will only fall in place like a domino effect. Shh! It's a secret. Don't tell anyone and don't ever say I told you.
-Uncle Play (May19, 2011)
