I am always learning. It is often quite difficult. Sometimes I absorb information like a sponge, without conscious awareness. But, for the most part, accumulating knowledge takes a great deal of effort. It is painful. Wisdom is the ideal outcome of accumulated knowledge. The bible makes it clear that it can be vexing and sorrowful. Consider Ecclesiastes 1:18, “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”
Knowledge has been defined as: “the body of truths or facts accumulated in the course of time”, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/knowledge?s=t. Wisdom has been defined as: “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight”, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/wisdom?s=t.
An example of the difference between the two: Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
How much do I know? How wise am I? Let’s consider some information. I have been called an expert. Okay, so what does that mean? I surmise I was once something and no longer am, like an ex-con. I was once a pert and now I am an ex-pert. Pert is defined as being “lively; sprightly; in good health”, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pert?s=t. I wish I could still be a pert.
I was recently described by a practicum student as being a legend. Leg: the lower limb between the knee and ankle. End: the part at the end of an extremity. I am a foot. How disturbing is that?
Mediocre Meanderings 