Fungus on a Limb I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity,
Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.
The Fear-of-God means hating Evil,
Whose ways I hate with a passion----pride and arrogance and crooked talk,
Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics;
I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.
With my help, leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly;
With my help, governors govern, along with all in legitimate authority.
I love those who love me; those who look for me find me;
Wealth and Glory accompany me-also substantial Honor and a Good Name.
My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary;
The returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.
You can find me on Righteous Road-and that’s where I walk-
At the intersection of Justice Avenue, handing out life to those who love me,
Filling their arms with life—armloads of life! Proverbs 8: 12-21

Eugene Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language

A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully and leave contentedly.
Benjamin Franklin

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Coleridge

Wisdom is ofttimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.
Wordsworth, Proverbs to Live By, Hallmark,1968

When man sought to know how he should live, he went into solitude and cried until in vision some animal brought wisdom to him. It was Tirawa (the One Above), in truth, who sent his message through the animal. He never spoke to man himself, but gave his command to beast or bird, and this one came to some chosen man and taught him holy things. Thus were the sacred songs and ceremonial dances given the Pawnees through the animals.
Letakots-Lesa (Eagle Chief), Natalie Curtis, original copyright, 1907. The Indians’ Book, Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1935.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.

Taking as he did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next.
Reinhold Niebuhr

Janine C. Hagan Editor There you have it; thoughts on wisdom from the Bible, famous personages in history and literature, the Pawnee Indians and Reinhold Niebuhr. I am awed most by the last and need that prayer every day of my life. Discernment has become a daily task, practice reward, and revelation-with-it’s-own-struggle.

What do you think that wisdom is? Do you have a “favorite” thought or quote? If so, please send a quick email to Janine@ecumininet.com with your comment and the source to be included in the Lent and Easter issue of ecumininet online!

Blessings for a New Year full of meaningful “epiphanies,”wisdom, and “white” for the pure and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Share our excitement with us as we begin our seventh year of ecumenical Christian web publishing!

Editor-in-Chief
Janine@ecumininet.com

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