In this week’s episode we discuss the article I wrote for Christianity magazine: How to be wise: Confessions of a recovering idiot.
In the article I proposed seven tips for gaining wisdom; things like finding a mentor, making a wisdom collection and most importantly, shutting up and listening. Obviously seven is a reductive, if nicely symbolic, number. There is much more I could say (and plan to say if I ever get to write a book on it).
Anyway, here they are, accompanied by verses from Proverbs and… er, the thoughts of an idiot.
Find your elders
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20).
“Never turn down lunch with someone wise. Especially if they’re paying” (Wisdomness of Nick 8:11).
Engage in honest reflection
“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray” (Proverbs 10:17).
“Squeeze the tube of your mistakes for the toothpaste of wisdom” (Wisdomness of Nick 10:10).
Make a wisdom collection
“The wise store up knowledge…” (Proverbs 10:14a)
“…But fools stockpile toilet roll” (Wisdomness of Nick 20:94b).
Shut up and listen
“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17).
“Consider the lilies of the field. They don’t talk a lot. Or post on social media” (Wisdomness of Nick 17:4).
Use your brain
“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight” (Proverbs 9:6).
“There is miraculous stuff going on between your ears” (Wisdomness of Nick 104:16).
Slow down and pay attention
“A person’s wisdom yields patience” (Proverbs 19:11a).
“Stop and think. Failing that, take a nap” (Wisdomness of Nick 309:21).
Embrace mystery
“’Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Everything is meaningless!’” (Ecclesiastes 12:8).
“Especially TikTok.” (Wisdomness of Nick 3024:22).