Defining Wisdom

I am in pursuit of wisdom, because wisdom leads to flourishing, and flourishing leads to serenity.

But what is wisdom? I don’t think we really know for sure. I have tried a number of times to define it, so here goes another attempt.

Wisdom is the overall perspective from which one sees the true nature of reality and thus correctly interprets humanity’s relation to it.

Many people mistake a set of virtues for wisdom. Prudence, for example, seems like a part of wisdom. But so does justice, courage, moderation, and humility.

I think wisdom is the garden, while the virtues are the fruits.

The virtues, like fruits, show evidence of the health of the garden, that is wisdom. But the fruits are not the garden, and the virtues are not wisdom. You cannot separate them, but you can distinguish them.

So the question is, if you take away the virtues, what is wisdom? It is the overall perspective from which one sees the true nature of reality and thus correctly interprets humanity’s relation to it. From this perspective and insight arise the virtues.

After I originally wrote this post, I had another thought. Maybe I am being too analytical about wisdom. Maybe a simpler definition of wisdom would be better.

I think it is too easy to over define a word. So let me give you my simple definition of wisdom. It is only seven words:

Wisdom is practical insight into living skillfully.

I think this comes the closest to the essence of wisdom in the shortest of time. I think I will use this definition for now.