Wisdom.

 

255. Wisdom: Wisdom is a functioning of our mind that allows us to see and to distinguish the actions going on in the world around us, in perspective. Wisdom is considered to be good sense when it comes to our reaction to actions that happen around us. Wisdom is considered to be the accumulated learning of our lives that allows us to judge between truth and falsehood, what is proper and what is not. Wisdom allows us to use our function of reasoning to make decisions that will affect our lives and the lives of those people around us in either a positive or negative way; and wisdom just allows us to see and understand the world around us. Is it any wonder that God holds wisdom in such high regards throughout His religions and calls on people to obtain wisdom that our hearts are not led astray?  Judaism: Deuteronomy 4:5 “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as The LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.” Deuteronomy 4:6 “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Proverbs 3:14 “For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” Proverbs 2:10 “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;” “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;” 2:3 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;” 2:4 “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;” 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of The LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Job 29:16 “The cause which I knew not I searched out.”  Christianity: James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 3:13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace.”

ISLAM: 269. “He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the message but men of understanding.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

Islam: 2. “We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’án, in order that ye may learn wisdom.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  12)

ZOROASTRIANISM: “We sacrifice unto the heavenly Wisdom, made by Mazda (God); we sacrifice unto the Wisdom acquired through the ear, made by Mazda. Adoration and praise be to the righteous Lord Who made man the greatest of all earthly creatures….. through (the gift of) speech and the power of reasoning.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Khorda Avesta – Book of Common Prayer pt. 1)

Zoroastrianism: Denkard. Zoroaster, “Be it known that, that which carries most benefit to the good creation in this and the coming world, and preserves it from harm, redeems it from sin, and makes it superior, is wisdom; for through it, a wise man becomes the source of qualities relating to works of the good religion, which are liberality, truth, fidelity, obedience, gratitude, contentment, patience, virtue, and others for improving the world and making man righteous and holy. And thus, through wisdom, a ruler becomes a preserver of the world and its protector and a doer of works of improvement appertaining to rule.”

HINDUISM: “Krishna. Fearlessness, singleness of soul, the will Always to strive for wisdom; opened hand And governed appetites; and piety, And love of lonely study; humbleness, Uprightness, heed to injure naught which lives, Truthfulness, slowness unto wrath, a mind That lightly letteth go what others prize; And equanimity, and charity Which spieth no man’s faults; and tenderness Towards all that suffer; a contented heart, Fluttered by no desires; a bearing mild, Modest, and grave, with manhood nobly mixed, With patience, fortitude, and purity; An unrevengeful spirit, never given To rate itself too high;- such be the signs, O Indian Prince! of him whose feet are set On that fair path which leads to heavenly birth!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 16)

BUDDHISM: “One should understand, according to reality, and true wisdom.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

Buddhism: “Those (people) who have gained a high degree of intellectual understanding of the truths concerning the aggregates that make up personality and its external world (wisdom) but who are filled with fear when they face the significance and consequences of these truths, and the demands which their learning makes upon them, that is, not to become attached to the external world and its manifold forms making for comfort and power, and to keep away from the entanglements of its social relations.” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

Buddhism: “One should cherish ideals of charity, good behavior, patience, zeal, thoughtfulness and wisdom. Even in the worldly life the practice of these virtues will bring rewards of happiness and success Much more in the mind-world of earnest disciples and masters will their practice bring joys of emancipation, enlightenment and peace of mind, because the Paramitas (perfections) are grounded on right-knowledge.” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

Buddhism: “If they diligently observe the Paramitas (perfections), and fully enter into a realization of the profound Prajna Paramita, they will attain the supreme spiritual wisdom they seek.” “And when they are performing these acts of charity, let them not cherish any desire for fame or advantage, nor covet any earthly reward. Thinking only of the benefits and blessings that are to be mutually shared, let them aspire for the most excellent, the most perfect wisdom.” (Buddha, Diamond Sutra)

Buddhism: “The noble path that leads to enlightenment is wisdom.” (Buddha, Surangama Sutra)

SABEANISM: “First Life! (God) Lift up Thine eyes upon these souls “For thou openest doors of truth and revealest mysteries and wisdom.” “Be careful; make enquiry,” that the truth may be known from falsehood, “display (wisdom in all matters).” (SABEANISM, Ginza Rba- Chapters 35, 58 and 74)

Sabeanism: “Great First Life! There shone forth wisdom. Thou pourest into us and fillest us with thy wisdom, thy doctrine and thy goodness.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- Chapters 5 and 24

BABI RELIGION: “Verily, these are souls who take delight in the remembrance of God, Who dilates their hearts through the effulgence of the light of knowledge and wisdom. They seek naught but God and are oft engaged in giving praise unto Him. They desire naught except whatever He desireth and stand ready to do His bidding.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 145)

Babi Religion: “Indeed, true education promotes the state of the individual so that he attains wisdom, awareness and divine confirmations.”

(Moojan Momen, The Babi  and Baha’i Religions, p. 160)

BAHA’I FAITH: “We have caused the rivers of Divine utterance to proceed out of Our throne, that the tender herbs of wisdom and understanding may spring forth from the soil of your hearts.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 42)

Baha’i Faith: “As the body of man needeth a garment to clothe it, so the body of mankind must needs be adorned with the mantle of justice and wisdom.” “The believer should use wisdom.”

(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah p. 81 and Kitab-i-Aqdas)