Wisdom

Wisdom is closer to instinct than insight. It is deeply engaged with the world, with life, with others, and with God. It is not something you know, but something you do, -- and something you are.

It would be foolish to speak of "making use" of wisdom, since wisdom itself is precisely the quality or condition of making use; wherein ability and will combine to produce those skillful utterances and actions we call wise. Even more foolish would be to speak of "not making use" of wisdom. Not making use is just unwise.

Being and acting are united in wisdom. A wise man acts by being. Because his actions are not separate from his being, they are rooted in God. It is God who is, and God who acts.

The works which are rooted in our depths are not performed by us, yet are the most natural and essential to us. In fact, all works are rooted in our depths, in God, and we only become identified with them to the extent that we are unconscious of their origin.

All actions ultimately proceed from the center of being, and everything is accomplished in the act of being.

Wisdom is being.

Behold what the Lord has made -- that it is enough; increase your knowledge of goodness -- and goodness is increased; magnify your understanding of God -- and God is magnified; perfect your appreciation of love -- and love is perfected.

If Wisdom were not beautiful, she would have no power to attract. If she were merely beautiful, she would have no power to hold. We learn to love Wisdom by finding her beautiful, but we stay in love because she is divine.