Here is the test of wisdom,
Wisdom is not finally tested in schools,
Wisdom cannot be pass’d from one having it to another not having it,
Wisdom is of the soul, is not susceptible of proof, is its own proof,
Applies to all stages and objects and qualities and is content,
Is the certainty of the reality and immortality of things,
and the excellence of things;
Something there is in the float of the sight of things that provokes it out of the soul.
~ Walt Whitman
(Meditations of Walt Whitman: Earth, My Likeness)
Whitman was a wise and soulful man, and man before his time. This is a wonderful meditation…
I love the paintings you use to convey your thoughts as well!
I am Love, Jeff
Thanks, Jeff! I find it fascinating that Whitman wrote only one book, “Leaves of Grass,” and then spent the rest of his life fiddling with it, revising, adding, deleting, moving parts of it around, in at least six updated editions. The last was called the deathbed edition. I think he must have been a perfectionist and I can relate to his desire to get it right… 🙂
Barbara – I especially enjoyed the painting you used today. Wonderful!
Thank you, Laurie, I can’t seem to get enough of William-Adolphe Bouguereau!
That painting is wonderful.
With this definition of wisdom, it makes it so obvious that there is so little true wisdom in the world.
I’m glad you like the painting – if we could only learn to listen to our inner wisdom while we explore the natural world and learn to read well, there would be so much more true wisdom in the world.
Hi Barbara,
“Wisdom is not finally tested in schools” How very true. Love your picture.
It is so true… We should be teaching the joys of discovery, not how to take tests!
Another beautiful pairing of words and image, Barbara. I love stopping by here to see what you’ve come up with. 🙂
Thank you, Robin. 🙂 It’s such a thrill to finally have an outlet for my pairings!