Can wisdom actually be conveyed in a book?
Can it even be developed and improved through effort and willpower?
Can philosophy and psychology truly lead to personal growth?
Can I be more successful and fulfilled by "loving wisdom"?
In Jason Merchey's fourth book in the "Values of the Wise Series," he has thought it through and answers with passion and conviction, YES.
He believes that philosophy is not something that most people ought to shy away from: "philos sophia" is ancient Greek for "the love of wisdom," and is the precursor of modern philosophy and psychology. As a “lover of wisdom,” Jason Merchey marshals a refreshing array of insightful and interesting quotations by an array of thinkers -- ancient old and modern -- to this deep and wide investigation into the nature of wisdom.
By bringing interesting research findings in psychology, compelling philosophical principles, and personal stories and reflections to the fore, he encourages the reader to learn more about themselves, the world, other people, and the nature of existence. Doing so will be very helpful and inspiring!
Most people may not know much about wisdom, but through this well-conceived and beautiful book, they can make wisdom their greatest strength!
Can wisdom actually be conveyed in a book?
Can it even be developed and improved through effort and willpower?
Can philosophy and psychology truly lead to personal growth?
Can I be more successful and fulfilled by "loving wisdom"?
In Jason Merchey's fourth book in the "Values of the Wise Series," he has thought it through and answers with passion and conviction, YES.
He believes that philosophy is not something that most people ought to shy away from: "philos sophia" is ancient Greek for "the love of wisdom," and is the precursor of modern philosophy and psychology. As a “lover of wisdom,” Jason Merchey marshals a refreshing array of insightful and interesting quotations by an array of thinkers -- ancient old and modern -- to this deep and wide investigation into the nature of wisdom.
By bringing interesting research findings in psychology, compelling philosophical principles, and personal stories and reflections to the fore, he encourages the reader to learn more about themselves, the world, other people, and the nature of existence. Doing so will be very helpful and inspiring!
Most people may not know much about wisdom, but through this well-conceived and beautiful book, they can make wisdom their greatest strength!
It is an awesomely complex world in which we live. Life was usually challenging (and often overwhelming) to our distant ancestors who lived as bipedal social animals on the terra firma of the African savannah two million years ago. I sometimes wonder if indeed life has become any easier or more fulfilling since those momentous times! There have been many philosophies, belief systems, and religious frameworks proposed since humans began trying to understand what life is about, how to relate to each other, and what it all means. The last 2,500 years – a mere blip on an evolutionary time scale – have brought unimaginable progress, sophistication, and prosperity. But one look around tells a perceptive person that something is not right. What is the one arrow humans have in their collective quiver that can hit the target amidst all the noise, fog, and distraction? Wisdom.
It was late 2019 when I began writing this book. In starting, I knew I would need to take a deeper dive (than was typical for me) into analyzing the role wisdom has played, plays, and should play in the American experience. It has become increasingly obvious during the time I have been watching important national and geopolitical events transpire (i.e., 30 years) how little emphasis America as a nation puts on wisdom. The evidence is strewn about as if a hurricane blew through; here we are wet, tired, and staring blankly at the catastrophe. . . And when I look within, or listen carefully to someone’s woes, it is fairly clear that wisdom could have alleviated much pain and prevented many missteps along the way, as well.
As I watched Congress (for the most part) have drastically different views of both Donald Trump and the nefarious deeds chronicled in the lengthy Mueller Report (or later, impeachment number TWO); as I thought about how vaccines are largely responsible for a huge intellectual and emotional rift between my mother and sister and me; when I think back on my deceased father; as I read philosophy; witnessing the rioters storm the U.S. Capitol; when I think about my career challenges; when I see how the coronavirus pandemic tears at America’s already-damaged social fabric – when I contemplated all these issues, problems, and outrages, I felt anxious and disheartened. Human beings are never at our best when stressed or plagued by negative emotions. It seems clear that despite the presence of flowers, puppies, fall colors, all the love and hope and wonder, life is interspersed with various crises, misfortunes, and pains.
The species Homo sapiens (“wise man”) has come a long way if one considers our meteoric rise to the apex of the animal kingdom. Thus, there is some reason for optimism. But overall, life is challenging to each of us – and devastatingly so to many (e.g., statistically, more soldiers/veterans died from suicide than from combat in the 2-decade-long quagmire of Afghanistan). Wisdom is that skill/trait/virtue that reduces excessive alcohol consumption, keeps us out of geopolitical catastrophes, prevents unwanted pregnancies, allows us to successful save for retirement, and a thousand other maladies and mistakes.
“Many definitions of wisdom converge on recurrent and common elements: humility, patience, and a clear-eyed, dispassionate view of human nature and the human predicament, as well as emotional resilience, an ability to cope with adversity, and an almost philosophical acknowledgment of ambiguity and the limitations of knowledge. Like many big ideas, it’s also nettled with contradictions,” Stephen S. Hall indicates in his book.
Indeed, wisdom is a challenge to define. This will be evident throughout the course of this book, much like it was with Hall’s informative work. Assume for the time being that, as Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said of pornography: "It is difficult to define, but you know it when you see it." Usually, bona fide wisdom can be recognized, at least. If someone relates how they solved a problem, how they dealt with a moral dilemma, or when they share a unique way of coming to some conclusion after looking carefully at an issue, the typical response is an eyebrow-raise, a head nod, a bit of a smirk, and perhaps an “Ok I like that! I see what you did there!” This is what wisdom looks like.
I bring an array of different voices to the fore in this book, and I have worked hard on it for quite a while. On the negative side, I understand that my writing can be a tad dense, my diction is not always the simplest, and I cram a lot of diverse stuff into each chapter. For this, I apologize. My writing style is not as simple as Hemingway – and probably not as rich; but it is, in the end, mine. My aim is to keep the reader’s attention – while at the same time asking him or her to “stretch themselves a bit” as they encounter numerous factoids, opinions, and personal stories that illustrate the subject. I can promise the reader if they get through these eighteen chapters, they will surely know more about many important subjects than 999 out of 1,000 persons in their community.
But, I suspect that even when complete, if someone asks a reader to communicate what wisdom is, he or she will still not be able to sum it up succinctly and eloquently because it’s just – well, complex. The study of wisdom is not challenging like quantum physics is, but it is not a particularly easy or cut-and-dried concept/phenomenon to internalize fully. Well, as they say, “nothing worth having comes easily”. . . But to get this ball rolling, I will quote the late expert on wisdom, Canadian author Copthorne Macdonald (for the first time of many). He wrote the following in his book Toward Wisdom: Finding Our Way to Inner Peace, Love, and Happiness:
Short statements about wisdom can be helpful as long as we realize that each expresses only part of the truth. Having said that, it seems likely that wisdom involves:
· seeing things clearly; seeing things as they are
· acting in prudent and effective ways
· making decisions with the well-being of the whole in mind
· deeply understanding the human and cosmic situation, mankind’s
experience, and human nature
· knowing when to act and when not to
· being able to handle whatever arises with equanimity, and to deal with
such issues in a compassionate and holistic way
· being able to anticipate potential problems and avoid them.
Macdonald subsequently emphasizes: "Each of these statements helps clarify some aspect of wisdom, but none tells the whole story – reveals the gestalt, if you will. However, the ‘self-actualizing’ and ‘ego-transcending’ people whom [pioneering psychologist] Abraham Maslow studied were wise people, and his writings tell us much about the nature of wisdom."
This is a valuable clue as to what wisdom truly is: determining what marks those who are self-actualized, in Maslow’s jargon. Arguably, the characteristics he observed and wrote about in the 1940s, -50s, and -60s do a fair amount of work when it comes to shedding light on this elusive phenomenon.
I considered entitling this book Wisdom: Integrating Intellect, Insight, and Intuition. It is a compelling, descriptive, and intriguing title but I chose an alternative. So be it. What it indicates, though, is that wisdom is not a simple thing – a skill that can be picked up and mastered and then left on “auto pilot.” No, it is a daily (hourly?) process/task/skill that involves an at-times breathtaking amount of effort, conscientiousness, and ability to tolerate imperfection. Taking stock of my relationships, thinking about my career, or dealing with others in society sometimes makes me feel like I am a boxer and I need to train and maintain my physical conditioning for the rest of my life. But fear not, this book is meant to be an invaluable tool in that quest.
Here is an example of putting wisdom into practice. In a 2020 article in The Atlantic, writer Ed Yong delves into what he frames as, “America trapped in a pandemic spiral.” As I complete this book in late 2021, I am struck by the feeling, If he could only see us now! Yong penned a couple of amazing and disheartening paragraphs I think will shed light on what I’m trying to communicate:
Many Americans trusted intuition to help guide them through this disaster. They grabbed onto whatever solution was most prominent in the moment, and bounced from one (often false) hope to the next. They saw the actions that individual people were taking, and blamed and shamed their neighbors. They lapsed into magical thinking, and believed that the world would return to normal within months. Following these impulses was simpler than navigating a web of solutions, staring down broken systems, and accepting that the pandemic would rage for at least a year.
These conceptual errors were not egregious lies or conspiracy theories, but they were still dangerous. They manifested again and again, distorting the debate around whether to stay at home, wear masks, or open colleges. They prevented citizens from grasping the scope of the crisis and pushed leaders toward bad policies. And instead of overriding misleading intuitions with calm and considered communication, those leaders intensified them. The country is now trapped in an ‘intuition nightmare’. . . .
This is a brilliant glimpse into the nature of wisdom and how it has the potential to pay amazing dividends – if one puts in the investment up front. Yong is pointing out that intuition (a part of wisdom) is not a “skill” or capacity that one simply has because he or she is a nice person, an intelligent person, or a lucky person. No boxer can compete in the ring without intensive training, and no lover of wisdom can expect to possess and benefit from the beauty and power that wisdom entails without due effort. There is an idiom that was popular in the red states of the 20th century; if someone didn’t possess much knowledge, it was said, “He don’t know shit from Shinola.” Shinola being a shoe polish. Yet, in every school board meeting, every table at Thanksgiving, and every social medium everyone seems to think they know everything. That can’t actually be true; there still is a continuum of truth even if Rudy Giuliani is notoriously and repeatedly on the wrong end. I do believe that wisdom can ameliorate this unfortunate national situation.
“You gotta pay your dues,” my father was fond of asserting. He was the son of immigrants – a “bootstrapper” who faced anti-Semitism, mental illness, and family chaos growing up but who became a very hard worker and an accomplished adult. I would do well to emulate that type of rigor and level of excellence in understanding and applying wisdom in my everyday life! Often, I disappoint myself – but I have also been known at times to come through in the clutch, to use a boxing term! Those who pay their dues by studying, practicing, and being open to what is right, true, and good will – like the tortoise in Aesop’s fable of “The Tortoise and the Hare” – outpace the lazy and foolish hare in the real race we each run every day of our lives.
Wisdom recognizes things that can easily be overlooked; wisdom "sees" deeply into the nature of things and perceives values, significance, and wonder. Wisdom is a rigorously efficient perception of reality. It transcends sense perception, routine cognition, cultural programming, errors in thinking, and mere feelings. The true beauty and power of wisdom can be glimpsed when one understands the complexities and the possibilities that can be perceived and felt deep in the “emotional brain” – and processed by the powerful, more recently developed parts of the brain. For those who have seen the fantastic movie American Beauty and remember “the plastic bag scene,” it seems clear that wisdom is useful not only for dealing with the unfortunate stuff – but also bringing a sense of calm or amazement to the individual in touch with the beautiful aspects of existence.
Modern author Jan Phillips notes that “the ability to hold two contradictory thoughts simultaneously is not just a matter of true genius; it is a matter of true freedom.” As well, the noted physicist Wolfgang Pauli indicated that “the only acceptable point of view appears to be the one that recognizes both sides of reality – the quantitative and the qualitative, the physical and the psychical – as compatible with each other, and can embrace them simultaneously.” Each of us, at one time or another, glimpses the extremely nuanced and intriguing nature of reality with one of humanity's highest aspirations: wisdom.
I have been looking into wisdom for nearly two decades and consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to what wise persons value and seek to cultivate within themselves (i.e., the “the values of the wise”). Setting aside exactly how to define the term succinctly, I believe that wisdom is not only one of humanity's highest aspirations, but also our best hope. That is: this potent and bracing "skill" (attribute, force, phenomenon?) can help navigate most of the challenging aspects of being human.
Rather than fret that this moment I (as an American) am experiencing portends the decline of the American empire and way of life, I might just be able to find some solace in what the modern philosopher Alain de Botton noted were “the consolations of philosophy.” Socrates stayed true to his values even unto death, so I believe America needs its lovers of wisdom to keep their chins up and face the hurricane (that we are primarily responsible for bringing about in the first place!).
Wisdom can be helpful in interpersonal relations, business matters, philosophical/ethical conundrums, religious quandaries, daily dilemmas, and the various and sundry challenges we each face simply by being alive. The Buddhists are a great example of using wisdom and other skills/adaptations such as compassion and insight to make the road we must walk easier on our soles – and on our figurative souls.
Indeed, it is not that wisdom isn’t helpful, encouraging, and enlightening; it surely is. The ancient secular thinkers and religious traditions validate that it is indeed an age-old remedy, tool, and adaptation. Wisdom is one of the greatest assets, phenomena, or characteristics that evolution has – astonishingly, amazingly! – bequeathed to humankind.
Wisdom is truly a treasure beyond measure (look at me; I'm a poet and I didn't even know it). No, the issue here is not whether wisdom is a remarkable and potent thing; it absolutely is. Socrates, Confucius, Jesus, the Buddha, and countless others have known and heralded this for centuries, and one look within and a wise choice or solution to a problem figuratively glows – as if lighting the darkness we all face.
The rub is that it is at times very difficult to actualize. It is a skill or adaptation – like creativity, self-discipline, courage, intuition, or love. It is akin to personality traits, but not exactly synonymous with them. It can’t be bought with money, but those who develop that inner knowing and psychosocial strength will outcompete and outlive those who are not as successful doing so.
Think of those who become lost and trapped in a cult (or any “cult-like religious institution,” frankly); they forgo their own capability of finding wisdom within themselves in a free and self-responsible manner. The reason that charismatic leaders and demagogues hold such sway over the minds of individuals of average intelligence is because those followers have failed to learn (to remember?) that they are not only capable of, but responsible for charting their own paths. Indeed, following such "leaders" blindly, becoming addicted to mind-altering substances, belonging to religious sects such as Scientology or Wahhabism, and falling victim to the uniquely modern “Siren song” of committing mass murder – these all signal that one is totally out of touch with wisdom (and their better angels). And, some would say, God.
And I believe wisdom does lie within. I don't even know if I am confident wisdom can effectively be taught – in the manner in which tennis, appreciation of literature, or driver education can be taught. I would conjecture that if one could learn wisdom from another person in an educational setting, it is more akin to studying a Shakespearean play, or the highest levels of mathematics. For example, when law enforcement recruits undergo training, it is the hope of responsible instructors that the cadets will one day be able to use wisdom to determine, in the moment, when, how, why, and to what extent to use force. One can detect in the actions of, say, Michael Slager – the former North Charleston, SC police officer who shot an unarmed, fleeing suspect in the back (Walter Scott) – a lack of good judgment, prudence, and wisdom (I would claim).
The "Serenity Prayer" by Reinhold Niebuhr explicitly refers to this profound and ancient asset: "God, give me the grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." It is a scintillating example of how virtue #1 (serenity) and virtue #2 (courage) can be successfully cultivated and harnessed and utilized, but that it is wisdom which can (and must) assist one to make a careful and prudent determination about which of the paths one faces.
Indeed, taking a cue from Aristotle and his ancient “doctrine of the mean,” it would be folly to be serene in the face of some desperate situation, long-standing social ill, or gross interpersonal misfortune. Likewise, it would be considered overly daring, rash, or foolish to summon the courage to fight for or change something which needn't be changed or won, or cannot be, or which would result in a bad outcome. That reminds me of the “winners” of the “Darwin Awards,” those individuals who accidentally kill themselves doing stunts and other amazingly dumb things – but who, in so doing, rid the rest of us of their obviously negative contribution to humanity’s collective gene pool!
That is the nature, the beauty, and the power of wisdom. Unless one flips a coin, asks a parent or a preacher, or goes through life like a spineless "prisoner of fate, a victim of circumstance" (Neil Peart), it is going to be up to the individual to access whatever wisdom they have been able to cultivate prior to encountering a particular situation so as to mollify, counteract, assuage, sublimate, alter, or accept said crisis/challenge/dilemma. Indeed, Aristotle believed that a virtue (some excellence) must be ingrained in the mind – much like a habit is. Similar to those fools who fall victim to the anti-vaccination fervor currently sweeping parts of the nation, only to find themselves dying of COVID-19 in an I.C.U., begging for a vaccination. Well, Mr. or Mrs. “Darwin Award winner,” it’s too late at that point! Or (to mix metaphors), a boxer who realizes in round 3 that he is too out-of-shape to face his opponent has come to that realization six months too late. In both cases, a figurative or actual knock-out is the result.
"In seeking wisdom, thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it, thou art a fool," noted Rabbi Simeon ben Azzai centuries ago. Little on this score has changed since. So, I definitely do not intend to “sell” a reader on the wonders of wisdom that – like the “snake oil” of yore – can cure all ills with little effort or cost. If I were “selling something,” I would have to admit it is slow-acting, figuratively expensive, and hard to come by. Still, there will be some who are so interested in the mystique and power of wisdom that they will be able to learn some fundamentals and put them into practice with some consistency and success. And frankly, some persons just seem to come by it with less effort and with less impediment than others do (and this is supported by the fact that wisdom is not strongly correlated with age!).
Challenging and elusive though it may be, wisdom has long been one of humanity's highest aspirations. It is potent at keeping us out of trouble as individuals – and one of the strong contenders for getting us out of trouble as a nation (and the same goes for every country on Earth). From the Old Testament on, learning about and gaining more ability to act wisely has been rightly shown to be one of the most fruitful and valuable uses of humankind's time, energy, and effort. It is “a good” of unparalleled proportions. The 13th-century Italian theologian Thomas Aquinas noted that “of all the pursuits open to men, the search for wisdom is more perfect, more sublime, more profitable, and more full of joy.”
Life is not easy, for the most part. My late father Morton maintained, “there are no free lunches.” As well, the noted French existentialist and author Albert Camus pointed out almost a century ago: "There is only one philosophical question, and that is suicide." One question relevant to this book is how we can best cope with the formidable challenges this wonderful and awful species, Homo sapiens, are saddled with. If not suicide, opioids, or gross mental illness, we must face the high challenges, the overwhelming feelings, and the frightening nature of existence. Wisdom is an excellent ally in this fight.
Hope springs eternal, as they say. Existentialism is meant to usher in a kind of mental freedom, a feeling of opportunity, and a sense of unboundedness. Every day, we all have the freedom, and the responsibility, to choose how and why we will remain on this planet. “Philosophy begins in wonder,” Plato discovered quite a long time ago. So perhaps when we cry, when we love, when we are surprised, or when we celebrate, something wonderful is indeed going on that transcends the existential and vacuous view of the nature of the universe. Philosophy is one excellent way to try to apprehend the wisdom that is just out there – if we tune in. Otherwise, like radio waves and infrared light, it passes by completely unnoticed by humans.
For nearly 3,000 years or so, “the wise” were among us (and occasionally, were noted political, religious, or military leaders), but just as the citizens of Athens voted to execute Socrates in 379 B.C.E., today we seem to suffer from an appalling dearth of wise individuals. Or at least, it is difficult to hear these voices above the din, the distraction, and the disinformation that now absolutely plague society. We seem to do so little nowadays to cultivate wisdom in the young, and it is worth remembering the acclaimed poet Alexander Pope when he noted: “As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.” Too many children are growing up to be largely selfish, ignorant, socially isolated, incompetent, and unwise. Americans don’t really seem to have the moxie, stick-to-it-iveness, and will that we used to. “The Greatest Generation” might have accomplished much, but they left the young with a huge amount of debt, an environmentally devastated Earth, and an “infotainment nightmare” of large proportions.
This all seems to be something on which both liberals and conservatives agree. But I want to say right up front: I do not pull punches when it comes to politically active individuals whom I would consider to be on the “radical Right” – be they of the political or the religious type. The bad news is that I could be branded as “another liberal” for folks who spent way too much time internalizing the noxious filth promulgated by Rush Limbaugh, Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson – or the wolf in sheep’s clothing du jour. Conservatives will find much within these pages that is ancient, logical, sensible, fair, and true, but they must open their minds and get themselves out of the mental bubble that nearly culminated in the loss of the republic on January 6, 2021. I am not an intolerant, strident liberal but I do bring evidence for my convictions and beliefs – and I do not apologize for them.
Indeed, there are a number of contributing factors which lead to disregard or apathy in society such as the American education system, Christian indoctrination, and materialism. Philosophy is usually the butt of jokes capitalists make when they jest about the least worthwhile college majors for students to declare. And atheists comprise one of the last minority groups to gain acceptance in this society. I think it is absurd and frightening that tools which will undoubtedly play a significant role in reforming society before it is too late – such as philosophy, ethics, psychological research and psychotherapy, and sociology – are so overlooked or held in such low esteem! The Dalai Lama is speaking of wisdom and laudable values almost every time I hear him speak, and it is like he is shouting down a well as far as 325,000,000 Americans are concerned. . .
It has been a challenge since before the time of Confucius (551 – 479 B.C.E.) to try to figure out what this place is, why we are here, and how to live. The problems of existence, knowledge, and conduct are challenging even for professional philosophers. Be that as it may, philosophy – ancient Greek for the love of wisdom – is the best-suited discipline/process/tool we have. I would argue that it is, by and large, more potent than either religion or the hard sciences. Philosophy can form a powerful braid with the social sciences to enlighten us and tear us from our otherwise benighted existence.
This book is an attempt to pull from some of the most pertinent modern books on the subject of wisdom, to feather in a number of insights and opinions of mine, and to enlighten the reader with an inspirational array of quotations from many individuals throughout the ages. It is my hope that not only will I come to know this somewhat elusive and rarefied topic as I meld my studies with my writing, but that the reader will also gain a greater appreciation for the potential, the power, and the payoff of wisdom.
I really believe this book is for any open-minded, curious person of any level of sophistication – be they a beginner, like I was in 1993, or a philosopher working in academia. Open-minded liberals and conservatives will benefit equally from the contents of this book. This is not “rocket science,” and the pages within will hopefully enlighten any persistent, interested reader. In fact, an astute reader will even see ways in which I was missing the mark or envision ways that they would have done it differently if they were writing it! I would welcome that kind of criticism because that will mean I am eliciting critical thinking in the reader. I feel sure that the more one thinks about these matters and tries to implement progress in one's life – as with any skill or virtue – the easier it will become.
I end each chapter with a number of beautiful, interesting, controversial, or “patently true” quotations from a wide variety of individuals. Below are some of the most wonderful quotations about wisdom to kick this off:
"Great is wisdom; infinite is the value of wisdom. It cannot be exaggerated; it is the highest achievement of man." (Thomas Carlyle)
"Those who are virtuous are wise; those who are wise are good; and those who are good are happy." (Anicius Boethius)
“The function of intelligence is characterized by focusing on questions of how to do and accomplish necessary life-supporting tasks; the function of wisdom is characterized as provoking the individual to consider the consequences of his or her actions both to self and their effects on others. Wisdom, therefore, evokes questions of whether one should pursue a particular course of action.” (Vivian Clayton)
“I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.” (Kahlil Gibran)
“There are many who know many things, yet are lacking in wisdom.” (Democritus)
“Many see doubt as a negative state, a continual restlessness or frowning skepticism. But just on the other side of doubt lies wonder – the feeling that comes from having an empty head and an open heart.” (Wes Nisker)
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” (Confucius)
“I believe that love of truth is the basis of all real virtue. . . .” (Bertrand Russell)
“I will be the first to confess that I have not always lived a life that incorporates the values that Socrates recommended. Nor have I been as compassionate as I should, and have too often turned away from the demands justice requires. These are the values for which I strive. [But, that relative failure]. . .is an opportunity for exercising my freedom to choose, my ability to rationally and critically examine cherished beliefs, and my capacity for self-transcendence.” (Gary E. Kessler)
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” (Doug Larson)
“We Americans don’t just disagree with one another. We don’t just have different values, narratives, and perceptions of truth. We actually see one another as moral threats, incompatible with all that we consider good, and we fantasize about a country in which the threats are no longer around. Not to be melodramatic, but you can recognize this kind of thinking in countries that fall into civil war.” (George Packer)
“There’s been research on social media and its effects on people. Lots of it. They’ve studied how it affects adults, how it affects children, how it influences politics and mood and self-esteem and general happiness. And the results will probably surprise you. Social media is not the problem. We are.” (Mark Manson)
“Because you are women, people will force their thinking on you, their boundaries on you. They will tell you how to dress, how to behave, who you can meet, and where you can go. Don't live in the shadows of people's judgment. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom.” (Amitabh Bachchan)
“The philosophic tradition of Greece is essentially a movement of enlightenment and liberation. For it aims at freeing the mind from the bonds of ignorance. It removes the fear of the unknown by presenting the world as something accessible to reason. Its vehicle is the logos and its aspiration the pursuit of knowledge under the form of the Good. Disinterested inquiry is itself regarded as ethically good; through it, rather than through religious mysteries, do men achieve the good life.” (Bertrand Russell)
“Only through the constant testing of ‘truth’ can we find it, and such testing must be accompanied by modesty, humility, and an awareness of our ignorance and fallibility even when we are sure we are right, especially then.” (Jack Hernandez)
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Socrates)
Wisdom A Very Valuable Virtue That Cannot Be Bought by Jason A. Merchey is about as the name suggests wisdom.
The author talks about wisdom has played everywhere in our lives. Everybody must make choices in their life. The hardest part is using what you have learned to make a wise decision, which is why knowledge is the first step to wisdom. A person needs to be wise and attain the knowledge to tell right from wrong. Wisdom helps people make tough decisions, while knowledge is used to make those choices.
The author talks about Wisdom Entails a Concern for Others, Respect, Kindness, Altruism, and Generosity, Wisdom Is Characterized by Doubt, Skepticism, and Intellectual Humility, The Wise Value a Sense of Humor, Wisdom Involves Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, and Integration, Wisdom Entails Excellent Insight and Intuition, It is Wise to Approach the World with Empathy, Compassion, and Care in the sixth chapter, Wisdom as Vision, Wisdom Involves Feeling What’s Real, Overcoming, and Self-Improvement, Those Who Are Wise are Humble, Applied Wisdom: Practicality, Relevance, Utility, Etc, How is Wisdom Related to Religion and Morality?, Wisdom Entails Self-Awareness and Self-Discipline, Wisdom Involves Complexity, Nuance, and Dynamism, Wisdom Entails Tolerating Ambiguity and Uncertainty, Practicing Patience, and Delaying Gratification, Open-Mindedness and Mental Flexibility Are Part and Parcel of Wisdom, “Living a Life of Value” – Flourishing and Doing Good, Developing Wisdom: From Whence Does It Come? And Humanity’s Last Best Hope and Highest Skill.
Reading this book was a real pleasure, maybe this book is not for everyone but anyone can pick up this book and grasp what the author is saying. The book is about 470 pages, yeah, it's a little big, but when you read it you won't feel like reading a 450 plus page book. I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for self help books or enjoys reading non-fiction books.