Wisdom and Her Inspiration...

It is hard to deny that wisdom is a rare virtue... just think of a few people, family, friends, or public figures who would qualify as wise. And perhaps we should define terms first, right? What is wisdom in your eyes?

In the Old Testament Scriptures, there is a whole body of writing known as the Wisdom literature. It includes Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Job, and the Wisdom of Solomon. In this literature, Wisdom is often personified in the figure of Lady Wisdom, a divine figure who originated with God, yet is also distinct and associated with Creation. What follows is a lovely, poetic description of Lady Wisdom and her attributes... may we all be inspired by her, that we grow not only in knowledge, but also insight, intuition, equanimity, sagacity, skillfulness, and compassion.

Wis 7:22b–8:1

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.

Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.