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The Elusive Art of Wisdom: Navigating a World of Superficiality

In an era marked by often bewildering pronouncements and policies from global leaders, the very essence of wisdom seems to have receded from public discourse. This piece explores the profound nature of wisdom, its tangible manifestations, and why its cultivation remains a critical, yet increasingly challenging, pursuit in contemporary society.

The Growing Void: A Question of Sagacity in Leadership

The contemporary global landscape often presents a stark tableau, where the pronouncements and policies enacted by many world leaders appear to lack a fundamental grounding in wisdom. This perceived deficit prompts a crucial question: in a world grappling with complex challenges, from geopolitical tensions to environmental crises, why does true wisdom seem so conspicuously absent in those at the helm? The author’s recent interactions with students at Northern Arizona University highlighted this very disconnect. These bright young minds, poised to inherit the future, found themselves struggling to grasp the profound mental condition of being wise, a testament to how abstract and perhaps even mythical such a quality has become.

This difficulty in comprehension underscores a broader societal challenge. As the immediate and the sensational often dominate headlines and public attention, the deeper, more nuanced qualities that constitute wisdom can be easily overlooked or dismissed. The relentless pace of modern life, driven by information overload and the pressure for instant solutions, may inadvertently foster an environment where superficiality thrives at the expense of profound understanding.

Defining the Undefinable: Cicero’s Enduring Insight

The concept of wisdom has been pondered and defined across millennia, with countless interpretations attempting to capture its multifaceted nature. However, for the author, the concise articulation by the Roman senator Marcus Tullius Cicero, dating back to 43 BC, remains the most compelling and viable definition. Cicero posited that “Wisdom is the knowledge of things human and divine and of the causes by which those things are controlled.”

This definition transcends mere intellectual accumulation of facts. Cicero’s formulation points to a highly insightful mental faculty that operates beyond the confines of purely sensory or materialistic understanding. Wisdom, in this context, is not simply about knowing what exists, but about understanding the underlying principles, the intricate interplay of forces, and the profound interconnectedness of all things. It suggests an intuitive grasp of abstract truths and values, a deep awareness of the human condition, and a connection to a psychical force—what the author terms the human spirit—that drives us towards aspiration and understanding.

Cicero’s definition emphasizes a dual understanding: knowledge of the mundane, the "things human," and the profound, the "things divine." This implies an ability to navigate the complexities of everyday life with insight while simultaneously possessing an awareness of the larger, perhaps spiritual or philosophical, dimensions of existence. Crucially, it includes the understanding of "the causes by which those things are controlled," indicating a mastery of causality, an ability to discern the root of phenomena, and perhaps even to anticipate consequences. This comprehensive view positions wisdom not as a passive state of knowing, but as an active, discerning, and profoundly insightful engagement with the world.

Embodiments of Wisdom: Testaments to a Rare Quality

While the abstract definition of wisdom is one thing, encountering individuals who truly embody it is another. The author reflects on a long life, during which certain encounters with wise individuals have left an indelible mark, serving as powerful affirmations that such profound sagacity not only exists but can shape the very fabric of human interaction and understanding. These are not figures of fleeting fame, but individuals whose presence and actions resonate with a deep, enduring truth.

The author recounts two such profound encounters, each representing a distinct facet of lived wisdom. These individuals, through their actions and character, offer tangible proof that the lofty ideals of wisdom are not mere philosophical constructs but living realities that can inspire and guide. Their stories serve as beacons, illuminating the path towards a more meaningful and insightful existence, even in the face of adversity and moral compromise.

Sir Herbert Read: The Serene Courage of the Warrior-Poet

One such luminary was Herbert Read, who later became Sir Herbert Read, an influential figure in aesthetics, poetry, philosophy, and literary criticism, and a decorated hero of World War I. Read’s wartime experiences offered a stark illustration of wisdom in action under the most extreme duress. As the only surviving officer of the Yorkshire Regiment, his leadership in a seemingly hopeless situation behind enemy lines after an overwhelming German advance was nothing short of miraculous.

In the face of overwhelming odds, with his unit overrun and cut off, Lieutenant Read’s capacity for calm and strategic action preserved the lives of the few survivors. He maintained morale, organized nighttime foraging for sustenance, and guided his men through enemy territory until they could safely rejoin their own lines. This was not merely a matter of bravery; it was a testament to a profound inner strength, a quiet, overwhelming spirit of confidence that allowed him to navigate an impossible situation with unwavering faith in a transcendent outcome. His war poems, imbued with this spiritual depth, offer readers a glimpse into his profound inner journey.

The impact of Read’s character extended far beyond the battlefield. His friend and literary colleague, Graham Greene, famously remarked in Read’s 1968 obituary that when Sir Herbert entered a literary gathering, the usual climate of critical gossip and malicious backbiting would subside. Greene observed that his presence seemed to instill a sense of decorum and integrity, as if “All goodness, all truth, had come amongst them.” This anecdote powerfully illustrates how true wisdom, when embodied, can exert a transformative influence on its surroundings, fostering an environment of integrity and respect. Read’s life exemplified how intellectual brilliance could be harmoniously integrated with profound moral character and unwavering inner fortitude.

The Reverend Trevor Huddleston: A Conscience for a Nation

Another deeply impactful individual was The Reverend Trevor Huddleston. Huddleston, an Anglican Bishop of Masasi in colonial South Africa during the 1950s, emerged as one of the most formidable voices challenging the abhorrent system of apartheid. His book, “Naught For Your Comfort,” stands as a deeply compassionate and searing indictment of racial inequality, a powerful plea for human dignity rooted in the inherent worth of the human spirit.

The author recounts several meetings with Bishop Huddleston, describing him as a man whose presence was both comforting and demanding of authenticity. His faith and spirituality were palpable, creating an atmosphere where pretense and dissembling were impossible. Huddleston possessed a rare quality: the ability to inspire a profound sense of moral clarity and a deep respect for truth. He was the kind of spiritual leader one would want by their side during life’s most critical junctures, his blessing a guarantee of passage, not in a literal sense, but in the profound spiritual assurance he conveyed.

Huddleston’s unwavering commitment to justice and human equality, even in the face of immense political opposition and personal risk, exemplifies the practical application of wisdom. His actions were not driven by political expediency or personal gain, but by a deep-seated moral conviction, a profound understanding of human interconnectedness, and a fierce dedication to divine principles of fairness and compassion. His life demonstrated that wisdom is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a lived commitment to ethical action and unwavering advocacy for the vulnerable.

The Enduring Relevance of Cicero’s Vision

These encounters with individuals like Herbert Read and Trevor Huddleston serve as powerful reminders of the enduring relevance of Cicero’s definition of wisdom. Their lives were characterized by a profound understanding of both the human and the divine – the complexities of human nature and the broader, often unseen, forces that shape our existence. They understood the causes behind societal ills and acted with courage and conviction to address them.

As the author reiterates Cicero’s timeless words, "Wisdom is the knowledge of things human and divine and of the causes by which those things are controlled," the message resonates with renewed urgency. In a world often characterized by superficial pronouncements, short-term thinking, and a disconnect from fundamental values, the cultivation of such comprehensive wisdom is not just desirable, but essential. It is a call to look beyond the immediate, to delve deeper into the causes of our challenges, and to connect with the fundamental truths that guide human flourishing.

The difficulty experienced by students in comprehending the essence of wisdom, and the perceived lack of it in current leadership, highlight a critical educational and societal imperative. Fostering environments where contemplation, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and a deep understanding of human nature are valued is paramount. The lives of figures like Read and Huddleston offer not just inspiration, but a blueprint for how such wisdom can be cultivated and applied, guiding us towards a more just, compassionate, and understanding future. Their legacies urge us to actively seek and embody wisdom, not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical force for positive change in a world that desperately needs it. The pursuit of wisdom, as defined by Cicero and exemplified by these remarkable individuals, remains a lifelong journey, one that promises not only personal enrichment but also the potential for profound societal transformation.