Be a Wise Guy (or Gal!)

Norman Vincent Peale offers six gems of wisdom to enrich your spiritual life.

By Norman Vincent Peale

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The Bible has a great deal to say about wisdom. Throughout Scripture, it is esteemed above wealth or military might. When God granted King Solomon one request, he asked for wisdom—and Solomon became one of the mightiest kings of all time. “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29).

Again and again the book of Proverbs urges its reader to grasp this most precious—and practical—possession. “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion” (3:21). “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse” (2:12). “A person’s wisdom yields patience” (19:11).

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Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is sound judgment and discernment. It is knowing what to pursue and what to let go, what to long for and what to flee. Where does wisdom come from? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding” (Psalm 111:10). “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

A friend of mine has six gems of wisdom which he repeats almost every day:

1.  "To live long, live slowly."—Cicero

2.  "The way of a superior man is threefold: virtuous, he is therefore free from anxiety; wise, he is therefore free from perplexity; bold, he is therefore free from fear."—Confucius

3.  "Sit loosely in the saddle of life."—Robert Louis Stevenson

4.  "Let nothing disturb you; let nothing frighten you. Everything passes except God; God alone is sufficient."—Saint Theresa

5. "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."—Isaiah 30:15

6. Then finally, and most importantly, the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). 

Let us pray to God today to help us “gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)!