Wisdom

July 6

I am thankful for wisdom shown by great people as examples to us all. People of great wisdom make great mentors to us. I don't consider wisdom to be the same as intellect, although one can have both. Intellect is the ability to acquire knowledge, whereas, wisdom is the ability to use intelligence to make the right choices. Perhaps it could be said that wisdom is the practical application of knowledge for positive benefit.

This photo is of an owl decoy, not a real owl, over the waterfall in my pond. I put him there in hopes that he would scare off predatory birds and snakes from killing my koi and goldfish. It didn't work. Perhaps the birds and snakes had wisdom enough not to be fooled. But anyway, owls are supposed to symbolize wisdom. A little internet reserach gave me the history of this: the owl was associated with the Greek Goddess Athena, who represented wisdom, and who had the owl as her symbol.

wisdom

the boy to the wise man says

"how can you be so wise man

does it grow in you

or are you born that way"

the man smiles

scratches his brow and replies

"wisdom is a state of mind

of the person

that is not wise enough

to know any better".

© rt tulley

wisdom ii

give me wisdom

to make the correct choices

give me courage

not to follow other voices.

© rt tulley