The Hard Truth About Wisdom

Solomon asked for wisdom at the beginning of his reign but finds out that wisdom is less about smarts and more about gaining experience in dealing with the difficult realities of human life.

Think about the word “wisdom” and chances are you’ll conjure up an image of an older person sitting on a mountaintop like a guru or relaxing in a comfy chair while speaking to a rapt audience of young people hanging on their every word. Maybe you think of a teacher you had or an inspiring historical figure you’ve read about, or your old high school coach. “Older” and “wiser” are often words used together to describe the idea that real wisdom comes with age and life experience.

That may be true, of course, but real wisdom isn’t so much about the quantity of life experience as it is the quality of it and what one has learned. As journalist and humorist H.L. Mencken once put it, “The older I grow, the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom.” Qualifying for your AARP card doesn’t necessarily make you wise, especially if you’ve failed to take the lessons that have come your way and changed...