1. The quality of being wise; knowledge, and the capacity to make due
use of it; knowledge of the best ends and the best means; discernment
and judgment; discretion; sagacity; skill; dexterity.
We speak also not in wise words of man's wisdom, but in the doctrine of
the spirit.
Wyclif (1 Cor. ii. 13).
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil
is understanding.
Job xxviii. 28.
It is hoped that our rulers will act with dignity and wisdom that they
will yield everything to reason, and refuse everything to force.
Ames.
Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Coleridge.
2. The results of wise judgments; scientific or practical truth;
acquired knowledge; erudition.
Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in
words and in deeds.
Acts vii. 22.
Syn. — Prudence; knowledge. Wisdom, Prudence, Knowledge. Wisdom has
been defined to be "the use of the best means for attaining the best
ends." "We conceive," says Whewell, " prudence as the virtue by which
we select right means for given ends, while wisdom implies the
selection of right ends as well as of right means." Hence, wisdom
implies the union of high mental and moral excellence. Prudence (that
is, providence, or forecast) is of a more negative character; it rather
consists in avoiding danger than in taking decisive measures for the
accomplishment of an object. Sir Robert Walpole was in many respects a
prudent statesman, but he was far from being a wise one. Burke has said
that prudence, when carried too far, degenerates into a "reptile
virtue," which is the more dangerous for its plausible appearance.
Knowledge, a more comprehensive term, signifies the simple apprehension
of facts or relations. "In strictness of language," says Paley, " there
is a difference between knowledge and wisdom; wisdom always supposing
action, and action directed by it."
Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connection.
Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men; Wisdom,
in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge, a rude, unprofitable mass,
The mere materials with which wisdom builds, Till smoothed, and
squared, and fitted to its place, Does but encumber whom it seems to
enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is
humble that he knows no more.
Cowper.
Wisdom tooth, the last, or back, tooth of the full set on each half of
each jaw in man; — familiarly so called, because appearing
comparatively late, after the person may be supposed to have arrived at
the age of wisdom. See the Note under Tooth, 1.
Wise (?), a. [Compar. Wiser (?); superl. Wisest.] [OE. wis, AS. ws;
akin to OS. & OFries. ws, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. ws, wsi, Icel. vss,
Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. See Wit, v., and cf.
Righteous, Wisdom.]
1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information;
erudite; learned.
They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Jer. iv. 22.
2. Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and
judging soundly concerning what is true or false, proper or improper;
choosing the best ends and the best means for accomplishing them;
sagacious.
When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks.
Shak.
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation.