none the wiser?

I used to be a lawyer. This meant I was often the recipient of lawyer-related humour such as:

Why don’t sharks eat lawyers?
Professional courtesy.

Tombstone inscription: Here lies Thomas Barnes – an honest man and a lawyer.
Observer: “How did they fit three people in one grave?”

They are funny in their own limited way. I prefer the humour that came from lawyers:

Following a lengthy three hour summation in court by the prosecution barrister the defence barrister rose to his feet and solemnly announced, “M’lud, I would like to follow the example of my learned friend and present my case without evidence.” He sat back down.

Or

Following an even longer four hour summation of the evidence by a barrister the judge leaned forwards, looked over the top of his glasses and gave the barrister a withering look. “Mr Feldspar. You have taken four hours to present your case but I am still none the wiser.”

“Possibly not, M’lud,” said Mr Feldspar, “but you are far better informed.”

For some reason that last joke came to my mind this morning. It may have been prompted by a news item on the radio but I am not sure. Anyway. What got it me thinking about is the difference between wisdom and intelligence. The two do not go hand in hand automatically. The cleverest person in the world can act unwisely and the least intelligent of us can demonstrate wisdom.


The Bible has a lot to say about ‘wisdom’ – have a look at the book of Proverbs if you want examples: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov 15.1) Solomon (attributed to be the author of the Proverbs) was a wise man – settling a dispute between two women who both claimed to be the mother of a child by saying that they should have half each. The real mother did not want her child to die so said that the other woman should have the baby, thus revealing her true identity.

But real wisdom, according to the Bible, is not about discernment, insight or perceptiveness. It is a recognition of who we are and who God is.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” 

(Proverbs 9:10)

Here fear is not abject terror but is a God-given ability to respect and honour God, obey him and reject all that opposes him. It comes from a sense of awe that we do not often perceive in our rush to call God ‘Father’.

May you be wise today!