We live in an unwise time. To use an old fashioned word, foolishness abounds and surrounds us. Smart people do idiotic things. The uninformed, lazy, self-indulgent, and the perpetually irate unintentionally harm themselves and make their own lives worse. They don't do much to help the rest of us, either.
There's a simple question we too often forget to ask. It's one we need to pose about nearly anything that presents itself to us as a choice: Is it wise?
It may be easy, but is it wise?
It might feel good, but is it wise?
It could seem safe, but is it wise?
It may be interesting, exciting, or impressive, but is it wise?
It could be what everyone's doing, but is it wise?
It might be the hot new thing, but is it wise?
It promises to bring money or power or fame, but is it wise?
It could be what you've always done. but is it wise?
Now, let's be clear. We won't always ask the question deeply enough or answer it well. After all, it takes a measure of wisdom to see what's wise. That's where the guidance of the already thoughtful, and experienced, and even sagacious can help us. And yet, we'll still occasionally mess up. But no process has to be perfect to be advisable. As we seek the path of wisdom, we'll more likely find it.
What's wise will make you a better person, lift others up, and leave the world a slightly better place. It will do genuine good. What's unwise is otherwise. It will always bring some form of harm.
Wisdom is real insight into proper, healthy living. Wise choices express or encourage human flourishing, or both. Wisdom takes us along the path of true human excellence. Foolishness distracts us and gets us lost. Wisdom directs us to what's worthy of us. Foolishness lures us to the counterfeit and false.
The wise live a life that the foolish can't comprehend. It’s rich and deep and peaceful.
Therefore, seek to act wisely in all things. And in every such choice, you'll choose to be on the path of wisdom; you'll choose to be, in however small a way, wise.
Whatever presents itself as good, or as convenient, or as true, ask first: Is it wise?
