Promoting peace and harmony from an Abrahamic perspective

What is Wisdom?

 

Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; it is the quality of being ‘wise.’

 

Why is Seeking Wisdom Important?

 

Wisdom provides us with insight, and knowledge of what is true and right, and the ability to make a just judgement as to how to behave. Wisdom provides us the ability to utilise our knowledge and understanding to be ‘creative.’ When we seek wisdom, we become open to spiritual growth and development. The more we grow spiritually, the better we feel emotionally, mentally and physically. We are less likely to invest directly into materialistic wealth and more likely to invest in God, and in helping others- and see more value in moral character and virtues of loving kindness and truth: This enables us to live more peaceful and happier lives within ourselves and our communities. 

 

How can Wisdom help us?

 

Wisdom gives us the ability to know right from wrong in a given situation. It helps to guide us along our paths and help us to free ourselves from challenging situations. It enables us to be ‘Creative.’ The wiser we become, the ‘creative’ we become…

 

When we gain wisdom, we gain the ability to reflect, reason, be more mindful of the present, adapt to the changing environment, the ability to reflect and learn, the ability to improve our relationships with others, the ability to appreciate value in our blessings, the ability to make sensible decisions regarding our material possessions, the ability to know right from wrong and make fair and just decisions at work, at home, and in our personal lives. It can act as a ‘light’ which provides guidance from within us that shines on others. The wiser we become, the more able we feel we become to be ‘true to ourselves,’ and therefore find true peace and happiness. 

 

The wise person is more likely to be able to create a positive situation from a negative situation, achieve longer lasting successful relationships, make the best out of any given situation, be successful at their job, and achieve a better ‘balance’ in their life. A wise person is more likely to want to learn from reading, from experience, from others, from history- and reflect- and this knowledge only increases them in humility and wisdom.

 

Seeking wisdom is an important part of our journeys into bettering ourselves as individuals, helping us to develop our abilities to be more kind, modest, caring, compassionate, generous, loving, honest, trustworthy, merciful, forgiving, just, patient, persevering, joyful, peaceful, and grateful individuals. The more we are able to incorporate all of these traits as part of our character and be more moral people, the more we are able to achieve inner peace and establish better relationships with each other and with our Creator. 

 

Through wisdom, we become vessels of light- and shine truth, goodness, peace, love, and fairness through our speech and deeds in all that we do. We are more likely to make friends out of enemies and repay evil with good- therefore we get closer to the ability to achieve Peace and victory in all that we do. 

 

​

How can our Wisdom help others?

 

How delightful is it to be in the company of a wise person with good moral character, someone who is fair, just, kind, compassionate, loving, merciful, forgiving, gentle, humble, honest, grateful and hard-working? The wise one seems to shine a light on us, and we enjoy their presence- their presence brings peace and joy and has a calming effect on their surroundings. When they speak, their words are good, and do not offend others, or cause enmity or hatred amongst others. When they say or act, we trust what they say because we know it comes from good intention and out of love…

 

Imagine being in the company of many wise people- who greeted one another with words of peace, spoke kind words to help soothe our sorrows, who listened to us, who advised us and helped to guide us- like shining lamps in the darkness, helping us to see our paths and help guide us along our journeys…

 

The wiser we become, the more we can help others. The more we are able to judge fairly and distinguish right from wrong- the better leaders we can become, and the more we can help guide others and share of our knowledge and understanding in the way of justice and truth and kindness. Wisdom is like a light that shines in the darkness- helping to guide us along our paths and helping to guide others along their journeys. Wisdom inspires- it inspires others to do good, and to better themselves and for them too to shine their light and find their own way. A wise person with a good moral character and the ability to judge right from wrong can be great role models for their communities, and the more of us that are wise, the more peaceful our communities will become.

 

How can we become Wiser?

 

The path to wisdom must start with the intention to seek wisdom. When we see the wisdom in seeking wisdom, we are more likely to be able to consciously decide within ourselves that wisdom is more valuable than materialistic wealth. Through gaining wisdom we understand that materialism can be temporary and that without wisdom, we cannot find a way out of a challenging situation. Wisdom if side by side with humility, and if well looked after- is more likely to grow and grow and itself provide us with the ability to create and grow no matter our given situation by the Will of God. Through living life, intention to grow, reflection and guidance from God can one seek wisdom…

 

Ways that we can seek wisdom:

​

Asking God: Reading Scripture for guidance from prophets and Messengers of God:  e.g. The Torah, The Old Testament, The parables of Jesus, Psalms of David, Proverbs of King Solomon, The Quran.. Those who believe in a Creator or are seeking knowledge and wisdom about God and His creation will find much wisdom in these scriptures. God is the Possessor of all Knowledge and Wisdom- He guides through His Signs, within ourselves and around us- but we must be open to perception and understanding and be willing to learn- By His Will, and by our asking for His Guidance and provision- He will give to us and guide us to higher levels of wisdom and understanding. 

 

Humility:  When we assume that we are right and others wrong, and as soon as we become arrogant and too proud to listen and learn- we stop growing spiritually. The more humble and modest we are about our knowledge and wisdom- the more open we become to gaining more insight and understanding. The more humble we are the more likely we are to be open to learning from our mistakes and taking responsibility for our actions. Therefore humility is very important if we want to seek wisdom and knowledge. The wiser and more knowledgeable we become, the more we realise how little we know- 

​

Seeking knowledge: Reading or watching film, listening to talks, fact or fiction: can help us improve our understanding of the world and help to provide us with a tool to better our wisdom and understanding.Together with seeking truth, and seeking love and kindness- wisdom and knowledge go hand in hand. It is important to reflect on the knowledge we gain and learn through experience to put it into practice.

​

Seeking Truth: Truth and wisdom go hand in hand. One who is wise is more likely to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood, and through truthfulness one is more likely to become wise. Therefore, it is important to be truthful during our journeys to seeking wisdom. Seeking truth and speaking truth and behaving in a way that our intentions and speech and behaviour are in line with one another will help us tremendously in our journey towards seeking wisdom. For those who are not truthful themselves, it is more likely they will lose their perception of who they are, their purpose in life, and therefore the ability to judge right from wrong in a given situation. They themselves will feel less worthy of seeking wisdom and holding onto that wisdom once it has reached them. 

​

Meditation and Prayer: Those who believe in a Creator, in God- let us ask Him for guidance, and to help increase us in knowledge and wisdom. Let us remember Him in all we do, and pray for better perception and understanding, and Truth. He guides how He Wills, and each person can have their own relationship with their Creator. By Believing that we are helped by a Higher source- we are much more likely to attain knowledge and wisdom and open our hearts to ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’ in a way that our eyes and ears cannot understand. by establishing a discipline in prayer and meditation, we are less likely to become distracted by the worldly temptations and distractions from the act of reflection. It helps us to remember God and reflect on our day to day lives and keep humble honest hearts in all that we do. 

 

Mindfulness:  Using our senses of sight, hearing, feeling, smell, taste and allowing ourselves to experience emotion while being mindful and reflective to the best of our potentials and abilities. 

 

Reflection: the more we reflect on what we say, what others say, how we behave, and on how others behave, and on our surroundings while being mindful- the more we are likely to learn and gain wisdom.

 

Questioning: The more we question- asking why, how, where, what: the more we are likely to be able to seek and learn Truth and learn to understand the difference between truth and falsehood, and right from wrong. Through questioning, we seek truth, and by seeking truth we gain wisdom. 

 

Reason: Reasoning and logic can help us to say and do what is fair and just and enables us to be more able to treat others as we ourselves want to be treated. It helps us to understand the importance of establishing truth from what is false and helps us to pick out truth from contradictory advice or knowledge.

 

Loving kindness: The more compassionate and loving we become, the more likely we are to be open to seeking wisdom. When we love and treat others how we ourselves want to be treated, the more we listen to them, the less judgemental we are, the more forgiving we become- therefore the more likely we are to be open to learning from them. The more wise we become, the more we let go of greed and desires for world riches- so we are more likely to want to share abundantly with those who are less fortunate.

 

Experience: Often we see that with age comes wisdom- because through experience and time we are more likely to gain insight and the more experiences we have, the more opportunity we have to be able to reflect and learn. Travelling can be an amazing way to learn and gain experience and know about other cultures and traditions and paths. Whatever we do each moment in time can be seen as an ‘experience.’ Whether the experience is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ doesn’t make much difference- we can learn from all experiences. As long as we learn from experience, we will gain insight and wisdom that can help us in our present and future. By Sharing this wisdom with others, we can help them through their journeys. We can learn from our experiences in our relationships with others, our suffering, our times of hardship. Negative experiences can be turned to wisdom as long as we reflect on them and use it to better ourselves and our moral conduct. Through experiencing the ‘opposites’ of any emotion or attribute we are more likely to be able to find right balance in our lives, while empathizing with others. For example, when we learn about the effects of ‘greed’ we understand the importance of kindness, through experiencing grief, we appreciate joy, through experiencing loss of a loved one, we learn to appreciate life and this can help us become more mindful in our relationships with other loved ones, through making mistakes ourselves we are more likely to understand how others feel when they too make mistakes and we learn about forgiveness. 

​

(Above Writings are based on the reflections of Dr Lale Tuncer)

​

 

 

Scripture quotes on Wisdom

 

'When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Seeking wisdom is wise.  However, some people will do anything to gain wisdom.  Even the wrong thing.  In this case, Adam and Eve, et al, will realize it wasn’t wise to not listen to (God’s) wisdom in the first place.  It was also not very wise to implicate another person.'Genesis 3:6

'Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.' Exodus 28:3

'And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.' Exodus 31:3

'Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:' Exodus 31:6

'And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 'Exodus 35:26

'Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 'Deuteronomy 4:6

'Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. 'Deuteronomy 34:9

'“Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God – he knows everything that happens in the land.”' 2 Samuel 14:20

 

'Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his grey head go down to the grave in peace.' 1 Kings 2:6

'“But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him.' 1 Kings 2:9

'When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.' 1 Kings 3:28

'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

'Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.' 1 Kings 4:30

'From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.' 1 Kings 4:34

'The LORD gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him. There were peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.' 1 Kings 5:12

'Whose mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali and whose father was from Tyre and a skilled worker in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.' 1 Kings 7:14

'But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. '1 Kings 10:7

'How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! '1 Kings 10:8

'The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.' 1 Kings 10:24

'As for the other events of Solomon’s reign – all he did and the wisdom he displayed – are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon?' 1 Kings 11:41

 

'May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.' 1 Chronicles 22:12

'That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honour, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”'2 Chronicles 1:7-12

'King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.' 2 Chronicles 9:22

'All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.' 2 Chronicles 9:23

'And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates – all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them.' Ezra 7:25

'His wisdom is profound; his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?'Job 9:4

 

'Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long-life bring understanding?' Job 12:12

“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Job 12:13

To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his. Job 12:16

'If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.' Job 13:5

'Then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.' Job 28:27

'And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”' Job 28:28

'Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not a mere mortal.’' Job 32:13

“But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Job 33:33

“Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.'” Job 34:35

'Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?' Job 15:8

'By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.' Job 26:12

'But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?' Job 28:12

'Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.  Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.' Job 28:17-18

'God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells.' Job 28:23

'I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ Job 32:7

'Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?' Job 38:36

'Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens?' Job 38:37

'For God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense.' Job 39:17

“Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south? Job 39:26

'The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.' Psalm 37:30

'My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.' Psalm 49:3

'Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.' Psalm 51:6

'Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 'Psalm 90:12

'Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.' Psalm 94:12-13

'To instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.' Psalm 105:22

'How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.' Psalm 104:24

'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.' Psalm 111:10

'Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.' Psalm 136:5

'For gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight.' Proverbs 1:2

'For receiving instruction in prudent behaviour, doing what is right and just and fair.' Proverbs 1:3

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

'Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;' Proverbs 1:20

'Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.' Proverbs 1:23

“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,” Proverbs 1:28

'“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”' Proverbs 1:33

'Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding.' Proverbs 2:2

'And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure.' Proverbs 2:4

'For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.' Proverbs 2:6

'He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.' Proverbs 2:7

 

'For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.' Proverbs 2:10
 

'Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.' Proverbs 2:12

'Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.' Proverbs 2:16

 

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.' Proverbs 3:5

'Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.' Proverbs 3:7

'Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.' Proverbs 3:13-18

 

'By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place.' Proverbs 3:19

'My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion.' Proverbs 3:21

'The wise will inherit honour, but fools get disgrace.' Proverbs 3:35

'Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.' Proverbs 4:5

'Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.' Proverbs 4:6-7

'Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you.' Proverbs 4:8

'I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.' Proverbs 4:11

'My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight.' Proverbs 5:1

'Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”'Proverbs 7:4

'Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?'Proverbs 8:1

'You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.'Proverbs 8:5

'For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 'Proverbs 8:11

'“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.”' Proverbs 8:12

'Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.' Proverbs 8:14

'For those who find me find life and receive favour from the LORD.' Proverbs 8:35

'Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.  She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.   She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”  To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.  Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.' Proverbs 9:1

'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.' Proverbs 9:10

'For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.' Proverbs 9:11

'If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.' Proverbs 9:12

 

'The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.' Proverbs 10:8

'Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.' Proverbs 10:13

'The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.' Proverbs 10:21

'Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.' Proverbs 10:23

'From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.' Proverbs 10:31

'When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 'Proverbs 11:2

'Those who have no sense deride their neighbours  but those who have understanding hold their tongues.' Proverbs 11:12

 

'People are praised according to their prudence, and those with warped minds are despised.' Proverbs 12:8

'The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.' Proverbs 12:15

'The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.' Proverbs 14:24

'A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.' Proverbs 13:1

'Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.' Proverbs 13:10

'The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.' Proverbs 13:14-16

'Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.' Proverbs 13:20

'The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.' Proverbs 14:1

'The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.' Proverbs 14:6

'The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.' Proverbs 14:8

'Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. 'Proverbs 14:33

'The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.' Proverbs 15:7

'Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.' Proverbs 15:12

 

'Folly brings joy to those who have no sense, but those who have understanding keep a straight course.' Proverbs 15:21

'Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.' Proverbs 15:22

 

'Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honour.' Proverbs 15:33

'How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!' Proverbs 16:16

'There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.' Proverbs 16:25

'A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.' Proverbs 17:10

'Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?' Proverbs 17:16

'A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.' Proverbs 17:24

'Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.' Proverbs 17:27-28

'An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.' Proverbs 18:1

'The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.' Proverbs 18:4

'An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.' Proverbs 18:15

'A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offence ' Proverbs 19:11

'Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.' Proverbs 19:20

'Those who get wisdom love their own lives; those who cherish understanding will soon prosper.' Proverbs 19:8

'When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. Proverbs 21:11

'Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.' Proverbs 21:20

'There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.' Proverbs 21:30

'Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?'Proverbs 22:17-21

'Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.' Proverbs 23:4

'Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.' Proverbs 23:9

'Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.'Proverbs 23:12

'Buy the truth and do not sell it – wisdom, instruction and insight as well.' Proverbs 23:23

'By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counsellors there is victory. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.' Proverbs 24:3-7

'Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.' Proverbs 24:14

'Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.' Proverbs 28:26

'A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 'Proverbs 29:3

'Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.' Proverbs 29:11

'A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but children left to themselves disgrace their mother.' Proverbs 29:15

'I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.' Proverbs 30:3

'She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.' Proverbs 31:26

'I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on the human race! 'Ecclesiastes 1:13

'I said to myself, “Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”' Ecclesiastes 1:16

'Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.' Ecclesiastes 1:17

'For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.' Ecclesiastes 1:18

'I tried cheering myself with wine and embracing folly – my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives. 'Ecclesiastes 2:3

'I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.' Ecclesiastes 2:9

 

'Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king’s successor do than what has already been done?' Ecclesiastes 2:12

 

'I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.' Ecclesiastes 2:13

'For people may labour with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to others who have not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 'Ecclesiastes 2:21

 

'To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 'Ecclesiastes 2:26

'Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.' Ecclesiastes 7:11

'Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.' Ecclesiastes 7:12

'Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.' Ecclesiastes 7:19

'All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise” – but this was beyond me'.

'So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.' Ecclesiastes 7:25

​

'Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.' Ecclesiastes 8:11

'Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.' Ecclesiastes 9:10

 

'Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.' Ecclesiastes 9:15

'So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.' Ecclesiastes 9:16

'Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.' Ecclesiastes 9:18

'As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.' Ecclesiastes 10:1

'Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.'Ecclesiastes 10:3

'The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favour, but the lips of a fool consume him.' Ecclesiastes 10:12

'Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! 'Isaiah 5:21

'For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings.”' Isaiah 10:13

'The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.' Isaiah 11:2

All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. Isaiah 28:29

“Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” Isaiah 29:14

'He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.' Isaiah 33:6

'You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, “I am, and there is none besides me.'”' Isaiah 47:10

'The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? 'Jeremiah 8:9

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,” Jeremiah 9:23

'But God made the earth by His Power; He founded the world by His Wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by His Understanding.'Jeremiah 10:12

'Concerning Edom: This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent?Has their wisdom decayed?”' Jeremiah 49:7

'By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.  By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.' Ezekiel 28:4-5

'“Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”” 'Ezekiel 28:12

'Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. 'Ezekiel 28:17

'Young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.' Daniel 1:4

'To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.' Daniel 1:17

'In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.'Daniel 1:20

'When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.' Daniel 2:14

 

'And said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.”' Daniel 2:20

 

'He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.' Daniel 2:21

 

'“I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”' Daniel 2:23

 

'As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.' Daniel 2:30

'There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.' Daniel 5:11

'He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.”'  Daniel 9:22

'And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.' Daniel 12:3

'For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.' Hosea 6:6

'Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb.' Hosea 13:13

'Listen! The LORD is calling to the city – and to fear your name is wisdom – “Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.”'Micah 6:9

​

'He grants Wisdom to whom He pleases, and he, to whom Wisdom is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.' Quran 2:269

'We also sent you a messenger from amongst you to recite Our revelations to you and to purify you, and to teach you The Book/Scripture and Wisdom, and to teach you what you knew not.' Quran 2:151

'And remember the favour of God upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear God and know that God is Knowing of all things.' Quran 2:231

​

'A.L.R. These are the signs of the 'The Wise Book). '

'That is some of the Wisdom inspired to you by your Lord.' Quran 17:39

 

‘[The Day] when God will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favour upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel…’ Quran 5:110

 

‘Our Lord, and raise in their midst a messenger from themselves to recite to them Your revelations, and teach them Scripture and Wisdom’. Quran 2:129

 

'He grants Wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever is granted Wisdom has indeed been granted much good, but none will remember except those who possess intelligence.' Quran 2:269

 

‘An Arabic Quran without any crookedness so that hopefully they may be reverent.’ Quran 39:28

 

‘And We brought down to you the Book with truth.’Quran 5:48

 

‘We brought down to you the Book/Scripture with the truth so that you may judge among the people in accordance with what God has shown you.’ Quran 4:105

 

‘God does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition…’ Quran 13:11

 

‘How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing? They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built?. Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts…. ?’ Quran 22:45-46

 

‘ Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing… ‘Quran 29:45 

 

‘And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from God’s way; they follow but conjecture and they do but guess.’ Quran 6:116

 

‘And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge… ‘ Quran 17:36

 

‘And when it is said to them: ‘Follow what God has sent down’, they say, ‘No; but we will follow such things as we found our fathers doing.’ What? Even if their fathers had no understanding of anything, and if they were not guided ?’ Quran 2:170

 

‘To Solomon We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things)’. Quran 21:79

 

‘You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearings, the eyesight, and the brain and you are responsible for using them. You shall not walk proudly on earth-you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains. All bad behaviour is condemned by your Lord. THIS IS SOME OF THE WISDOM inspired to you by your Lord. You shall not set up another god beside God, lest you end up in Gehena, blamed and defeated.’ Quran 17:36-39