To lead life is a very strange experience whether one likes it or not one has to do it. Throughout his life, he faces different challenges and uses the knowledge to avail himself of the opportunities that he has gained through different experiences.
True wisdom is dependable upon knowledge. It is always useful whether it be very little or huge. However, little knowledge is always dangerous and one should always be careful of that.
Knowledge can be of two types:
One is worldly and other one is spiritual.
Many people get used to gaining worldly knowledge because it promises them material wealth. On the other hand, spirituality needs sacrifice and services. Service to mankind is a great virtue. It means these two facts are totally opposite to each other. One is to gain while the other one is to pay for. It depends upon our priorities. Our expectations, our services, and our intentions decide our priorities, and we try to gain knowledge and experience different situations day by day.
The end of all knowledge should be service to others. — Cesar Cahvez
Sometimes, we conclude that we might have not learnt, and sometimes we repent that we must have learnt it before. Repentance gives us gloom and satisfaction gives us pleasure. We carry on through these two worlds of beliefs. They have a great impact on routine matters and public dealings. Day by day we are accustomed to keeping us going with them. And our egotism takes us away from gaining true wisdom in life. We become proud of our worldly achievements. We think we have toppled the world. We consider ourselves very important people. We belong to an elite class and so we are totally void of true wisdom. We are lost souls devoid of feelings.
This is an age of science, so we cannot leave the opportunity to avail ourselves of the opportunities offered by scientific technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in its full boom. Everybody must seek knowledge of science and we cannot help using it to move ahead in life.
Before drawing any conclusion about true wisdom, let’s have a review of different Ideologies of Wisdom:
Greek Ideology of Wisdom
In ancient Greek philosophy, wisdom was highly multifaceted and included a combination of intellectual, moral, and practical elements.
One of the most famous definitions of wisdom comes from the philosopher Socrates, who believed that wisdom involves recognizing one’s own ignorance. He famously said, “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
Plato, one of Socrates’ students, believed that wisdom was the knowledge of ultimate reality or truth. He thought that wisdom could be attained through philosophical contemplation and the study of abstract concepts such as justice, beauty, and truth.
Aristotle, another prominent Greek philosopher, viewed wisdom as a practical virtue that involved making good decisions and living a virtuous life. He believed that wisdom could be developed through experience and education and that it was necessary for living a happy and fulfilling life.
Overall, the Greek idea of wisdom emphasized the importance of self-awareness, knowledge, and moral character in achieving a good life.
Islamic Ideology of Islam
In Islamic philosophy and theology, wisdom is highly valued and is seen as an essential aspect of the Islamic faith. The Arabic word for wisdom is “hikmah,” which is derived from the same root as the word for “to know” or “to understand.”
The Islamic idea of wisdom encompasses both intellectual and moral dimensions. It involves having knowledge and understanding of the teachings of Islam, as well as applying that knowledge in a practical and ethical manner.
In Islamic thought, wisdom is closely connected to the concept of Tawheed or the Oneness of God. This means recognizing the unity and transcendence of God and living in accordance with His teachings.
Islamic scholars have identified several key qualities that are associated with wisdom, including humility, patience, gratitude, and compassion. These virtues are seen as essential for developing a deep and meaningful relationship with God, as well as for living a virtuous and fulfilling life.
Overall, the Islamic idea of wisdom emphasizes the importance of knowledge, ethical behaviour, and spiritual development in achieving a deeper understanding of God and His teachings.
Chinese Ideology of Wisdom
In Chinese philosophy and culture, wisdom is highly valued and is often associated with the concept of “zhi,” which can be translated as knowledge, understanding, or wisdom.
The Chinese idea of wisdom encompasses both intellectual and moral dimensions. It involves having knowledge and understanding of the world and one’s place in it, as well as living in accordance with ethical principles and moral values.
One of the key figures in Chinese philosophy is Confucius, who emphasized the importance of wisdom in his teachings. Confucius believed that wisdom involved cultivating personal virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, and propriety, as well as developing a deep understanding of the world and one’s place in it.
Another important concept in Chinese philosophy is the idea of “wu wei,” which can be translated as “non-action” or “effortless action.” This concept emphasizes the importance of acting in accordance with the natural flow of things, rather than trying to force or control events through excessive effort.
Overall, the Chinese idea of wisdom emphasizes the importance of self-cultivation, ethical behaviour, and living in harmony with the natural world in achieving a good life.
Lama or Tibetan Buddhist Ideology of Wisdom
Lama, or Tibetan Buddhist, the ideology of wisdom is an important aspect of Buddhist philosophy and practice. In Tibetan Buddhism, wisdom is seen as a fundamental aspect of the path to enlightenment and the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.
The Tibetan Buddhist idea of wisdom is closely connected to the concept of “prajna,” which refers to a deep understanding of the true nature of reality. This involves realizing the emptiness or lack of inherent existence of all phenomena, including oneself and others.
According to Tibetan Buddhist teachings, wisdom can be developed through the practice of meditation and contemplation, as well as through the study of Buddhist texts and teachings. The cultivation of wisdom is seen as a gradual process and requires a combination of intellectual understanding and direct experiential realization.
In Tibetan Buddhism, wisdom is also closely associated with compassion and is seen as a necessary component of achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. The cultivation of wisdom and compassion together is known as the “two wings of the bird” that enable one to fly towards enlightenment.
Overall, the Lama or Tibetan Buddhist idea of wisdom emphasizes the importance of developing a deep understanding of the true nature of reality, as well as the cultivation of compassion and altruism towards others.
True Wisdom
True wisdom comes when we have learnt the art of patience, tolerance, enlightenment, benevolence, propriety, righteousness, gratitude, humility, and compassion. As grown-up men, we must be ready to accept our blunders and mistakes openly and avoid them committing them again. However, we can also learn all ethical values and lessons from others’ mistakes. It needs some time to learn. It needs the courage to accept others’ points of view, which is too hard to do so. Worldly knowledge is also making us arrogant. Acceptance of others’ viewpoints requires great courage. A true spirit, a good and intelligent person is always ready to learn what others shrink. Thus real wisdom comes to each of us when we are going to leave this world.