12 Comments

Laughed out loud at the Alex Trebek reference. I would add that the paradox of wisdom is the awareness of not knowing. Living with not knowing...the name of the game.

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Good point, Susie. Chalk a point for Socrates.

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Wisdom may be something others say you have. And you do have it.

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You are kind to say so, my friend.

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Sep 9, 2023Liked by Don Akchin

Unfortunately in our day “wisdom” seems to go with “vintage”, “outdated”, and other contemporary adjectives in many academic circles. Don hit the nail on the head: wisdom is more a spiritual virtue than a professional one. I guarantee that nobody cares or is interested in early clinical trials that elevated childhood leukemia from one in which fresh air and a good diet were Sir William Osler’s recommendations to a largely curable disease. “Wisdom” usually calls for a silent or measured response to be genuinely applied in most contexts nowadays.

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Eh, I wouldn't overthink it. I've been complimented on my wisdom by young people, and I do nothing but hand out unsolicited and judgmental advice. Maybe we need more of that.. Oh, hey, look, I just said something wise! 😂

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Glad it works for you, but I wouldn't advise it when dealing with your own children.

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😂 He's used to it. If I'm wrong, he gets to feel smug. If I turn out to be right, I look brilliant. Win win.

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I think of wisdom as using the experience we have gained to create something new. When we pause from our professional lives, when our children fly the nest, we have time to contemplate what we have learned and reinvigorate the playful aspects of ourselves that we of necessity set aside for much of our adult lives. I see renewed play as the wellspring of wisdom.

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I like the way you think!

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Sep 9, 2023Liked by Don Akchin

I’m wondering how others often comment on and recognize wisdom in people before they/we recognize it in ourselves?

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See Susie's comment: the wise know that they know little.

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