Wisdom of Elders

This week I saw an article entitled "Six Tips From Your Future Self" by Dr. Karl Pillemer. The premise was that if you could meet your older and (presumably) wiser self (say, 50 years from now) and ask for advice, what would it be? Since clearly such a scenario is impossible, Dr. Pillemer did the next best thing: He canvassed 1,200 older Americans (ranging from 60 to 108 years) and asked what advice they would give the younger generation. Specifically they were asked, "What mistakes should younger people avoid?" and what are people "most likely to regret when they get to the end of life?"

What I liked about this article was its logic and good sense. For heaven's sake, if anyone has been-there-done-that, it's the older generation. Yet in keeping with human nature, the younger people in our society continue to dismiss the older generation as a bunch of fuddy-duddies who can't possibly have any knowledge or insight about today's issues, problems and woes.

Right.

So what are the six things the elders advised against? 1) putting too high a priority on money; 2) getting into debt; 3) worrying too much; 4) excessive drinking and drugs; 5) rushing into marriage before you're ready; and 6) passing up opportunities.

These are, I think you'll agree, sensible and logical precautions. So many of life's problems can be linked to one or more of these mistakes. If only our society were in the habit of heeding our elders, how much misery could be avoided?

Patrice Lewis - 30 Dec 11 - WND

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on March 13, 2012 at 5:41pm

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on March 16, 2012 at 7:23am

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom:

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom is not putting tomatoes in a fruit salad.

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on March 18, 2012 at 6:06am

Full wise is he that can himself know.

GEOFFREY CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on April 8, 2012 at 2:43pm

“Through ignorance of what is good and what is bad, the life of men is greatly perplexed. [Lat., Ignoratione rerum bonarum et malarum maxime hominum vita vexatur.]”
Cicero (Marcus Tullius Cicero)

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on April 11, 2012 at 3:35pm

On our loss of wisdom

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on April 14, 2012 at 1:51pm

In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it - thou art a fool. - Lord Chesterfield

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on April 18, 2012 at 10:30am

"When most the world applauds you, most beware:
'Tis often less a blessing than a snare."
- Edward Young

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on April 23, 2012 at 8:33am

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on April 29, 2012 at 9:27am

"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built." - Eleanor Roosevelt

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on May 7, 2012 at 2:45pm

“Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.” - Evangel

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on May 10, 2012 at 7:50am

Wisdom by William Cowper

(Proverbs, viii. 22-31)

"Ere God had built the mountains,
Or raised the fruitful hills;
Before he fill'd the fountains
That feed the running rills;
In me from everlasting,
The wonderful I am,
Found pleasures never wasting,
And Wisdom is my name.

"When, like a tent to dwell in,
He spread the skies abroad,
And swathed about the swelling
Of Ocean's mighty flood;
He wrought by weight and measure,
And I was with Him then:
Myself the Father's pleasure,
And mine, the sons of men."

Thus Wisdom's words discover
Thy glory and Thy grace,
Thou everlasting lover
Of our unworthy race!
Thy gracious eye survey'd us
Ere stars were seen above;
In wisdom thou hast made us,
And died for us in love.

And couldst thou be delighted
With creatures such as we,
Who, when we saw Thee, slighted,
And nail'd Thee to a tree?
Unfathomable wonder,
And mystery divine!
The voice that speaks in thunder,
Says, "Sinner, I am thine!"

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Permalink Reply by James Robertson on May 10, 2012 at 3:19pm

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

2:6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Matthew 10:28(KJV) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.