A Bit of Wisdom

Mark Twain is reported to have said, “When I was a boy of fourteen my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” 

A friend of mine, who has been married but a few years,  recently told me in response to my question about what surprised him most about being married:  “The fact that so much of the advice of older people regarding marriage is right!”  A mother I know mentioned recently in a conversation how much “fun” it is to see her grown children wrestling with the issues of parenting and coming to appreciate the role of a parent in a way that they never seemed to appreciate when THEY were children!  :-).

Many are the children who have listened to the advice from their parents or instructors and discounted it—until the day they needed it. Then it turned out to be more wisdom than advice. One of the oldest father–son talks is recorded in the Book of Proverbs. Solomon, the world’s wisest man in his day (and likely in ours), had much to say in wisdom to those who sat at his feet to learn.  He was known throughout the surrounding nations for posessing astonishing  wisdom, discernment, and insight.

Principles of wisdom will work for anyone who puts them to use.  But it is only those who fear the Lord who will want to practice them over a lifetime.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.