Wisdom

Wisdom is defined as "the right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom is nearly synonymous with discretion. It differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus."—Noah Webster

Wisdom is the first emanation, the Light of Illumination. An emanation is a direct outpouring of Wisdom, Love or the Logos from the Godhead. The emanations are the absolute principles of being of the universe. Every emanation is the Three — Wisdom, Love, and the Logos — as One, but is named for the aspect predominating. Wisdom expresses itself as law at every level of consciousness — creature instinct, child of earth instinctive intelligence, son of man intellect, son of God intuition, and ascending creator illumination.

Wisdom operates as divine Will to hold the universe’s magnetic walls in place. Wisdom establishes "rays of repulsion" radiating from each celestial body, which act as cogs meshing the gears in the universal mechanism, holding them in their courses. The Mind of Wisdom which becomes relative to the Godhead, contains all masculine aspects of God as personality, the Father.

As a soul faculty, wisdom is the capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct, sound judgment in the choice of means and ends, sound sense, especially in practical affairs, knowledge, especially of a high or abstruse kind, enlightenment, learning, erudition. The end of fear is the beginning of wisdom.











Edna Lister on Wisdom

Fear is lack of wisdom; the beginning of wisdom is the end of fear.—Edna Lister, Your Magnetic Powers, January 13, 1933.


God is the measure of your intelligence and wisdom.—Edna Lister, God As Consciousness Appears As Form, 1934.


The way to Wisdom’s Well is a path through the burning sands of the desert.—Edna Lister, Devotion, May 24, 1935.


A lover of wisdom is a philosopher.—Edna Lister, Philosophy’s Scope, September 3, 1935.


The purpose of existence is seeking supreme wisdom.—Edna Lister, Philosophy’s Scope, September 3, 1935.


Let us understand each another, for of understanding is wisdom born.—Edna Lister, August 19, 1938.


Great is the Lord’s Way, beyond the knowing of the foolish wise, who only think they are wise, but are not.—Edna Lister, December 25, 1938.


It is very wise to cast off all ideas of darkness.—Edna Lister, January 13, 1939.


Be of all wisdom, yet allow none to suspect that wisdom — do not parade your knowing.—Edna Lister, January 19, 1939.


Let wisdom be your daily guide.—Edna Lister, August 9, 1940.


The Ten Commandments explain your obedient relation to God on the Wisdom ray, directed by the law as revealed to Moses, and the active principle of doing, "you shall," and, "you shall not."—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.


Wisdom operates as divine will to hold the universe’s magnetic walls in place.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.


Mind, as Wisdom, operates as the will of God and as the will of man.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.


Wisdom is the great positive creative principle, as Love is the great negative creative principle.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.


Wisdom builds the form, the outer mold of everything.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.


Wisdom is given to the simple.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.


For every release of even a small wisdom mystery, you must assume a correspondingly higher responsibility to become more nearly perfect as your Father is perfect. If you do not desire to be perfect, but are just intellectually seeking to be wise, then one day a gate shall bar further progress into wisdom.

Wisdom is God’s bank. You must deposit much love for God, neighbors or humanity to withdraw wisdom legally. You may court wisdom only by love, not by asking or constant fevered seeking, but wooing it as a jealous mistress who brooks no doubts or whys. Only love opens all doors, burns all barriers, makes dark into Light and fulfills all law. Make sacrifice to love, and wisdom will illumine your responsibility.—Edna Lister, July 29, 1942.


To hold wisdom fast and to receive more, you must be very constant in devotion, praise, and in the joy of prayer.—Edna Lister, July 29, 1942.


To seek wisdom without being fully responsible and lifting will deaden delicate nerves and glands until only the ability to talk about the past repeatedly remains. Your words will finally give all wisdom away, until only seeking remains.—Edna Lister, July 29, 1942.


Once you become law on the principle involved, you have earned the right to know. Nothing can be hidden from the one who understands principle to the point of becoming law. You can see all below where you now stand, and the higher you ascend, the more opens. You cannot avoid knowing, if you ascend.—Edna Lister, July 29, 1942.


God has placed wondrous gifts of power, wisdom, and knowledge in your hands. Nothing is impossible. If you are in doubt about a situation, stop and ask for His Wisdom and guidance.—Edna Lister, May 6, 1943.


If others seek experience in lesser ways, that is good for them. They are but new chicks, just out of their shells. Do not be a tough old bird, but soft and downy with the wisdom gained by experience.—Edna Lister, August 15, 1943.


God requires no one to understand you, who climb the Master’s steep way, yet God requires you to understand all men.—Edna Lister, December 20, 1943.


Constructive fear and common sense go hand in hand, gaining wisdom from every new experience. A constructive fear of getting caught makes you avoid unwise actions until the habit of obedience invites wisdom. Without enough imagination, wisdom never grows. A constructive fear, imagination and common sense lead to wisdom.—Edna Lister, "The Road to Wisdom," Life in A Nutshell, 1944.


Innocence is no protection; only wisdom’s full knowledge protects you.—Edna Lister, October 20, 1944.


You must know and understand the laws of responsibility underlying every inner or outer choice of action. Your interpretation must be universal, not personal, for self can cause a skewed interpretation.—Edna Lister, October 30, 1944.


Delay often brings great wisdom you could gain no other way.—Edna Lister, January 2, 1945.


Comprehension is the secret of wisdom that permanently opens all doors.—Edna Lister, March 8, 1945.


From the beginning, God has granted us freedom to express for the purpose of learning, and to unfold our faculties to gain wisdom.—Edna Lister, April 6, 1945.


Comprehension will reach to your toes when you discover what you lose by disobedience.—Edna Lister, July 6, 1945.


The keys to wisdom are discernment, discrimination and discretion.—Edna Lister, July 8, 1945.


Mind is the balance of Wisdom’s unfailing principles with Love’s sustaining and enfolding life.—Edna Lister, December 14, 1945.


You function as the law through your imagination, will and desire. Will is determination, desire reaches forth, and imagination extends a line of Light to establish contact with our Father. The first law is to desire ardently and imagine vividly. Will is acting as if you had it. Everything works out perfectly when you let law use you.—Edna Lister, January 27, 1947.


Intellect is potential, but wisdom is kinetic.—Edna Lister, November 21, 1950.


Wisdom and love are the fire of soul that breaks the intellectual crust on brain cells.—Edna Lister, November 21, 1950.


Your wisdom grows as your experience on earth grows.—Edna Lister, August 15, 1953.


Free will is the freedom to use the faculty of will wisely. Free will is the perfection of God’s Wisdom within you. Your will is free only when you allow His wisdom to use you.—Edna Lister, October 19, 1953.


Wisdom functions as will, and when they move as one, everything works together for good in your life.—Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1954.


Beware forfeiting hard-earned goals through foolishness and failure to apply the wisdom you have gained through experience.—Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1954.


Take nothing from the past but the precious pearls of wisdom you gained there.—Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1954.


You translate all experience into law through the Father’s Wisdom.—Edna Lister, May 24, 1954.


"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."—Matthew 7:6. To cast your pearls before swine is to give jewels of wisdom to one who cannot hold it; if they misuse it, the giver pays the debt.—Edna Lister, March 6, 1957.


Basic common sense is instinct, but enough common sense is genius.—Edna Lister, August 4, 1956.


"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."—Psalm 119:105. The Word is a wisdom vibration that is a Light on your path and a lamp unto your feet.—Edna Lister, June 4, 1957.


"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."—Proverbs 9:10. The end of fear is the beginning of wisdom.—Edna Lister, August 22, 1957.


We do not live by common sense only — though you never ignore it — but by royal sense, which instantly accepts, acts, knows and stands firm on this point of no return. Royal sense, which supercedes common sense but does not discard it, includes the letter of the law and the spirit of common sense.—Edna Lister, September 5, 1957.


Will can never be freed from wisdom.—Edna Lister, October 7, 1957.


Personality can never touch wisdom, but emotion can taint the self-centered will of earth. You always have the power of choice.—Edna Lister, October 7, 1957.


Solomon’s sacrifices brought him wisdom and understanding, but he had to learn that he had them as gifts through long years of application on earth. He had to learn that understanding is love, and to use it. Many people gain a new metaphysical understanding, but never learn to use it. Applying what you know to what you do brings success.—Edna Lister, January 20, 1958.


Sacrifice of self increases the Love ray moving though you, while sacrifice of things increases the Wisdom ray. Jesus told us to seek the Father, which is the Wisdom ray, because this produces balance.—Edna Lister, May 6, 1958.


The Wisdom of God contains all elements needed to place your consciousness on the Path toward your ultimate good, God. Undoubtedly, all outer manifestation inherently holds the Creator’s qualities in some form, or there could be no manifestation at all. The same divine Wisdom directs this glorious perfection toward which we all strive, and within this lies a compassion beyond human understanding, comprehension or apprehension.—Edna Lister, January 25, 1959.


The wisdom of attention to detail amplifies and benefits all wisdom on earth, revealing the tiniest flaws, which might otherwise wreck a perfect structure.—Edna Lister, April 10, 1959.


The one who intellectually feels that all he needs is a great deal of wisdom is what we call a sophisticated type, one who "knows it all." The treatment for this "I know the way you should follow" attitude is nothing of intellect, just knowing that the Father does the work.—Edna Lister, June 15, 1959.


To have a hunch means self’s interpreter has probably taken charge, not the soul vision that expands.—Edna Lister, June 15, 1959.


God gives each a supply of compassionate wisdom, a complete gentleness of loving. If you are gentleness and wisdom, you will not say, "You must do," but that "I must do. This is the way it is given to me to do. You are free. You are good."—Edna Lister, June 29, 1959.


Wisdom must back love: Asinine sentiments tear down more relationships than curses do.—Edna Lister, February 23, 1960.


We are dual beings, combining the principles of the Father of Wisdom and the Mother of Love. We must be these aspects of the Father and Mother within ourselves.—Edna Lister, How Can I Help Myself? May 31, 1960.


Common sense is the greatest of the laws of mind, and the lowest common denominator of law made applicable to everyday life. Common sense is most uncommon.—Edna Lister, June 7, 1960.


You must balance wisdom with love, otherwise your emotions and judgment are erratic.—Edna Lister, October 3, 1960.


We are each adept at blocking our own vision to some degree by a lukewarm attitude toward how we apply wisdom in our affairs. Our Guards [Guardian Angels] do not, dare not and may not check us on it until we reach a point of looking back and seeing clearly when and where our extra effort would have paid dividends. To do so, they would have interfered with an initiation and with our free choice. Once we look backward in an appraisal (not in judgment), then they can move in with approval, advice, power of discrimination, and the the degree of love that creates perfect judgment.—Edna Lister, December 9, 1960.


You must learn to hold your high point of contemplation, for all the wisdom unveiled to you must come through that one high point. The foolish one will not hold his high point, but thinks he must come down from it and return to it repeatedly. The whole process of seeking has one goal: To hold, not to lose over the years.—Edna Lister, December 16, 1960.


Stop looking for results in the other fellow. Drop a seed of wisdom and watch the other pick it up and offer it as his own. That’s all we are, seed planters. If you do it for personal gain, you kill the seed before you drop it; you sow infertile seed.—Edna Lister, October 13, 1961.


By becoming law, you may comprehend the full Wisdom of God.—Edna Lister, Heaven, a Place to Fill, April 10, 1962.


Understanding comes only through obedience to the law given. Ask for wisdom, seek wisdom and receive law, for law is wisdom. Every individual is in his own grade and that means on his own tone, in his own chord, his own number and name given in the beginning. You can interpret and apply the laws of wisdom only according to the great chord of life of which you are part. Unless you reach into the pure Light and a higher octave of your own chord, you can receive no higher illumination of any law, because only by seeking and yearning for higher understanding can you fully obey law. Reaching into a higher octave for understanding is illumination, a higher understanding of law.—Edna Lister, November 14, 1962.


God gives you Wisdom in the measure of your obedience to law.—Edna Lister, January 10, 1963.


When you accept law, you gain wisdom. Ask for wisdom first and obey the wisdom given, no matter how hard it may seem to be, then understanding comes.—Edna Lister, January 10, 1963.


Every time you open your mouth to spout law illegally, you deny yourself new wisdom.—Edna Lister, December 12, 1963.


Wisdom is the Father of principle. Love is the Mother of personality. Principle represents all Power. Personality represents all action. Wisdom is all law. Love is all law as action. The mating of Love and Wisdom gives firmness and boldness to all action. When Love and Wisdom are one, they become Nonresistance, which is the greatest, most powerful of all absolute laws.—Edna Lister, February 7, 1964


Letting the subconscious mind rule your wisdom faculties is utterly foolish.—Edna Lister, The Legend of Isis and Osiris, April 14, 1964.


Wisdom is all law, and love is all law as action.—Edna Lister, Love and Wisdom, February 7, 1965.


Make room to receive true wisdom by eliminating self.—Edna Lister, March 24, 1965.


Wisdom is armor against the false.—Edna Lister, The Greek Pantheon of Gods, June 15, 1965.


We laid aside precious pearls of wisdom as we descended near earth and forgot this entirely when we drank the cup of Lethe or forgetfulness before we were born.—Edna Lister, The Mysteries of Dionysus and the Oracles, June 22, 1965.


You can tune into any department of wisdom to which you have earned the right.—Edna Lister, Does Form Follow Mind? November 30, 1965.


As you ascend in consciousness, God’s will for you descends as wisdom. Choose wisely.—Edna Lister, October 23, 1967.

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Declarations for Greater Wisdom

"Jesus Christ is now here raising me to his consciousness of divine judgment and I express the Wisdom of God in all I think, say and do."—Edna Lister, Undated Papers, 1949.


"I now walk softly before God. I now speak gently before men. I now keep my golden silence about high truth. I now make wise speech only under need to defend truth. I now obey all divine laws. I now follow the Christ consciousness in all ways, in all places and at all times. I AM a radiant center of Light, love and glory. I AM now lifting all darkness that it may be absorbed in Light. The joy of the Lord now possesses me. The spirit of Wisdom is now my health, my strength, my success in all my affairs." Now reach for the stars.—Edna Miriam, International New Thought Alliance Healing Meeting, October 24, 1957.

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The First Emanation: Wisdom

Creation opens at the dawning of a Day of Manifestation. The whirling life sparks began to tremble, throb and undulate within the Source sphere called the Supreme Source of All Light. Mind awakens to outer activity before initiating its plans for the approaching Day of Manifestation.

God began to draw Light into the compact Source sphere, a thought-sphere exactly at the heart center of Being. Substance was added to substance until it could create an explosion to radiate the three Emanations. [Kabbalah speaks of this as the Tsim-Tsum, the Restriction.]

From the instant the Mind that thinks and plans began to breathe into itself at this Source sphere, it opened a great whirling Power-vibration that included all substance contained within the thought-sphere. This vibratory wave of Power moved outward in an oscillating clockwise motion to the Source sphere’s planned thought-rim.

Mind formed a thick magnetic wall there, through which it could breathe universal substance, yet hold it within the Source sphere so that no substance could escape through the magnetic wall into the void.

As Light condensed in the Supreme Source of All Light, it gathered and generated Power to radiate itself as the first Emanation of Creation. The cosmic respiration continued in great rhythmic waves until the Source sphere held so much condensed universal substance that it must explode and burst its original confines.

God so breathed until the Source sphere could neither condense nor hold more Light substance. Then, with a final inhalation, an explosion took place that opened the new cycle, a Day of Manifestation of Creation.

This ripple on the Face of Eternity, the Source of All Light was that Emanation of Light called Wisdom. Wisdom swung in a stately rhythm as an emanation propelled by the Power behind the explosion. Wisdom’s perfect precision held this first Emanation of Light until it touched the outermost limit of its own contained Power, the outer planned boundary of the new universe-to-be. Wisdom formed there a rim or mold within which Love could gestate and bear a universe.

This first Emanation is the principle of Mind, active as the positive-acting one of the Absolute Trinity. Yet the negative-acting principle of Love-as-Substance is also present as affinity, holding the Light substance together as one vibration. The third member of the Absolute Trinity, the Son, is present as the Power, the Word in the action.

For "three days," a mystical term meaning three great Ages, the Wisdom Emanation swung around this vast outer circle [a torus], forming the great outer magnetic wall within which Mind condenses Substance for all its creations during a Day of Manifestation.

God, as Love, gestates all worlds, all galaxies within this outer magnetic wall. As the first Emanation swung around the outermost rim, it condensed universal substance to empower its return journey to the Source sphere’s center. When the first Emanation reached the final outer round and expended all that particular energy, Wisdom began its return to the Supreme Source of All Light.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.

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Degree

Kind of Principle

Ultimate Principle Light, the All That Is, the universal Magna Carta
(Great Charter of Law)
Absolute Principle Light, as Wisdom, may be described as omniscience,
thinking and planning, which serves as the absolute template for law (the Wisdom aspect of the Magna Carta)
Supreme Principle Mind is the interpretive medium between the life of God and
its manifestation, the purpose, the plan, and the law,
which becomes the material universe with its phenomena
Relative Principle Intelligence is the individuation of Mind as
unlimited potential consciousness>
Relative Principle Number dictates the place of everything in Creation
Number brings the life sparks together for countless combinations, ready to be acted upon by Mind
Will Individualized embodied soul expresses Wisdom as will,
proclaims and executes the idea of the good that is in soul

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Expressions of the Wisdom Principle Defined

Principle

Definitions and Synonyms

Wisdom Capacity of judging life and conduct rightly; soundness of judgment
in the choice of means and ends;
knowledge, enlightenment, learning, erudition
Mind Consciousness that is manifested in thought, perception,
emotion, will, memory, and imagination
Intelligence Intelligence is the individuation of Mind as unlimited potential consciousness; the spirit of consciousness
regarded as an aspect of reality
Number One of a series of symbols of unique meanings in a fixed order
that can be derived by counting; a numeral or a series of numerals
used for reference or identification: to name or specify one by one,
to enumerate, identify, itemize, list; number places everything
Will Determination to complete a goal: will-power, resolve, self-control,
self-discipline; the mental faculty by which one decides:
free will, judgment, discrimination, discretion, discernment, volition, taste; to choose; to decree, dictate, or order

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New Testament on Wisdom

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.—Matthew 10:16.


Wisdom is justified of her children.—Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:35.


No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.—Luke 8:16.


No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.—Luke 11:33.


I [Christ] will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.—Luke 21:15.


Be not wise in your own conceits.—Romans 12:16.


The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.—1 Corinthians 1:25-30.


I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.—1 Corinthians 2:3-7.


Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.—1 Corinthians 2:5.


Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.—1 Corinthians 3:18-19.


We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ.—1 Corinthians 4:10.


Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.—Colossians 3:16.


If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.—James 1:5-8.


Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.—James 3:13-18.

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Old Testament on Wisdom

Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. Exodus—23:8.


Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. Deuteronomy 16:18-19.


The Wisdom of Solomon: In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I AM but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.—1 Kings 3:5-14. [see also 2 Chronicles 1:7-12.]


Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.—Job 32:7-9.


The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.—Psalm 19:7-9.


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.—Psalm 111:10.


A wise soul will hear and increase learning, and an understanding soul will attain wise counsel to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.—Proverbs 1:5-6.


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


Hear the instruction of your father [Wisdom], and do not forsake the law of your mother [Love], for they will be a graceful ornament on your head.—Proverbs 1:8-9.


Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keeps the paths of judgment, and preserves the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom enters into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:—Proverbs 2:2-10.


Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retains her.—Proverbs 3:13-15.


The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.—Proverbs 3:19-24.


Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.—Proverbs 4:5-9.


The Lord possessed me [Wisdom] in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: when he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.—Proverbs 8:36.


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.—Proverbs 9:10.


The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.—Proverbs 10:8.


Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding.—Proverbs 10:13.


He who restrains his lips is wise.—Proverbs 10:19.


Fools die for lack of wisdom.—Proverbs 10:21.


He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace.—Proverbs 11:12.


A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.—Proverbs 12:8.


The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.—Proverbs 12:15.


The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.—Proverbs 13:14.


A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise.—Proverbs 15:12.


Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.—Proverbs 17:24.


Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.—Proverbs 17:28.


He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.—Proverbs 19:8.


Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.—Proverbs 19:20.


When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.—Proverbs 21:11.


There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.—Proverbs 21:30.


Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.—Proverbs 26:4-5.


There is more hope for a fool than for a man wise in his own eyes.—Proverbs 26:12.


If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs; there is no peace.—Proverbs 29:9.


A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.—Proverbs 29:11.


The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.—Proverbs 29:15.


Wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.—Ecclesiastes 2:13.


Wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.—Ecclesiastes 7:12.


A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.—Ecclesiastes 8:1.


A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment, because for every matter there is a time and judgment.—Ecclesiastes 8:5-6.


The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails.—Ecclesiastes 12:11.

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Wisdom in Other Sacred Writings

Froward thoughts separate from God: and His power, when it is tried, reproves the unwise.—Wisdom of Solomon 1:3.


Wisdom shall not enter into a malicious soul; nor dwell in the body that is subject to sin.—Wisdom of Solomon 1:4.


To think upon Wisdom is perfection of wisdom: and whoever watches for her shall quickly be without care. She goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, shows herself favorably to them, and meets them in every thought. For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; and love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption; and incorruption makes us near to God: Therefore the desire of wisdom brings us to a kingdom.—Wisdom of Solomon 6:15-20.


Wisdom, which is the worker of all things, is an understanding spirit holy, One only, manifold, subtle, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good, kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtle, spirits.—Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-23.


Wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passes and goes through all things by reason of her pureness, for she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore no defiled thing can fall into her. She is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of His goodness. Being but One, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she makes all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she makes them friends of God, and prophets.—Wisdom of Solomon 7:24-27.


Wisdom is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.—Wisdom of Solomon 7:29.


Wisdom is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of His works.—Wisdom of Solomon 8:4.


All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with Him forever.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:1.


Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:4.


The Word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:5.


The Lord created wisdom, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:9.


If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her to you.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:26.


Honor your father and mother (Wisdom and Love) both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon you from them, for the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; but the curse of the mother roots out foundations.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 3:8-9.


At first, wisdom will walk with you by crooked ways, bring fear and dread upon you, and torment you with her discipline, until she may trust your soul, and try you by her laws. Then will she return you to the straight way, and comfort you, and shew you her secrets; if you go wrong, she will forsake you, and give you over to your own ruin.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:17-19.


Do not refrain to speak when you can do good, and do not hide your wisdom in her beauty; for by speech, wisdom shall be known, and learning by the word of the tongue.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:23-24.


Wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 6:22.


Wisdom lifts up the head of him who is of low degree, and makes him to sit among great men.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:1.


Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from Him.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:15.


Blessed is the man who meditates good things in wisdom, and reasons of holy things by his understanding.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 14:20.


The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of His omnipotency.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:20.


There is a wickedness, and an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:23.


He who has small understanding, and fears God, is better than one who has much wisdom, and transgresses the law of the most High.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:24.


There is an exquisite subtlety, and the same is unjust; and there is one who turns aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man who justifies in judgment.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:25.


An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:19.


The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:26.


Wisdom makes the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 24:27.


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.

Edna Miriam Lister
1884—1971
The original Christian Pioneering Mystic,
Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.


Edna Lister


Etymology of wisdom: Old English wisdom, learning, wisdom; from Old High German wissago, seer, prophet.


Wisdom is the first Emanation, the Light of illumination.
Wisdom is an absolute principle.
Wisdom is an abstract principle.
Wisdom is a law of being.
Wisdom is a law of doing.
Wisdom is a soul virtue.
Wisdom is a soul faculty.
Wisdom, Power and Love, form the eighth Lesser Via Christa Trinity, whose keynote is Action. Wisdom is a Via Christa Degree.


References

The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV), Public Domain.

The Nag Hammadi Library. James M. Robinson, editor. San Francisco, Harper & Row, 1981.

Webster, Noah. “Wisdom,” Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language. New York: S. Converse, 1828. This work is in the public domain.


Related Topic


Mind