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No. 9 - A lesson in English (3) - Wisdom

Is it not strange how we keep repeating the same mistakes of our earlier years ?  We blame the failures, not on our opinions but on the circumstances that prevailed at the time !   If others had been wiser our actions would have borne more fruit (?)

The Dictionary definition:
Wisdom  n. 1.  the state of being wise.  2.  experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically.  3.  sagacity, prudence; common sense.  4.  (also in plural)  wise sayings, thoughts, etc. regarded collectively.
Wise (adj & v.)  adjective  1 a  having experience and knowledge and judiciously applying them.    b  (of an action, behaviour, etc.) determined by or showing or in harmony with such experience and knowledge.  2  sagacious, prudent, sensible, discreet.   3  having knowledge.   4  suggestive of wisdom (with a wise nod of the head).  .....................wise after the event  able to understand and assess an event or circumstance after its implications have become obvious.

Excerpts from The Concise Oxford Dictionary (Clarendon Press) Ed. Della Thompson


In the Old Testament is the story of Solomon, the third King of Israel, son of David and Bathsheba, who reigned in the 10th century B.C.    During his peaceful reign several foreign alliances were formed (notably with Phoenicia and Egypt), trade and commerce were expanded and the Temple at Jerusalem as well as many palaces were built.   To realise his schemes he had to impose heavy taxation and use compulsory labour, which resulted in the revolt of N Israel.  He was famous for his wisdom, and much of the “wisdom” literature of the Old Testament, such as the Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, is attributed to him

Excerpt from The Macmillan Encyclopedia (1981).

In our modern world, to get on we have to look like the film stars or pop idols that are in vogue.   The important quality for the voter is their performance on the television; if they fail to impress they are doomed !   The wisdom of their policies count for nothing if they don’t have that vital extra ingredient, the “X” factor !  An example of this appeal was the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California or President Reagan (elected Nov 1980).

It is rather worrying that Wisdom appears to take a back seat.  The latter personalities are figureheads for their parties.   The same cannot be said for Michael Howard who is a qualified lawyer, experienced in heated debate.   However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is wise.   Wisdom is learning from one’s mistakes.   Has Michael learnt anything from the past ?   He still appears to be pursuing the policy of locking people up without any consideration as to the possibility of a more effective way of running our society.  Putting people in prison regardless of the effectiveness of such treatment is merely hiding societies problems.   Whether this approach can be considered the “head in sand” approach or simply not wishing to spend money on our social problems is debatable.   Surely, in the 21st century we should be looking for a better way ?   It is true that the present government is experimenting with the “Tagging” method (another form of imprisonment), but even this is avoiding real solutions,  simply to avoid the necessity to build more prisons or spend money on more effective methods to reduce the prison population  !

There is another way, that would lead to offenders finding a better way of living their lives; that would improve their quality of life at the same time as reducing the undesirable effects of their actions on society.   Undoubtedly, at the present time, much of the crime that is committed is closely related to the drug scene.   Removing the offender from this scenario is a first step, but to put them in prison will not in any way improve the situation.  Unless they have the opportunity to start a new life away from their present influences it is virtually certain that they will succumb to the same pressures and temptations when released from custody.   If we are to spend money on fighting crime this is where the money should be spent, not on building more prisons but on better solutions.    We have the expertise in our country; what we don’t have is the cooperation of the politicians to fund the necessary changes to make a better society for all, including those at the bottom of the pile.   Which party has the will to tackle the problem head-on rather than resorting to the past non-solutions to create a  better future for all in our society ?