KNOWLEDGE minus WISDOM equals IGNORANCE

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wisdom vs knowledgeWe live in a time with unprecedented technology; the knowledge and information at the fingertips of modern civilization far exceeds anything our forefathers could have imagined. And with each passing moment, today’s technology seems like an antique in light of the innovations being uncovered daily catapulting us into an intelligence age never before seen!

Why is it then, that we are witnessing the decay of a country, along with a world, at a rate matching that of our growing intelligence? Why is it that although the Internet helps us reach around the globe instantaneously, we find ourselves too busy to reach across our fence and greet our neighbors with a smile? Why is it that the “smarter” we get as a culture, the more we see senseless acts of violence perpetrated against human life? Is it because of firearms, explosives, knives, blunt objects, etc? Last I’ve seen these items, left out of the human hand, can do no harm. Isaac Asimov, an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University was quoted as saying “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” He hit the nail on the head! When wisdom is reduced beyond the level of knowledge, ignorance replaces it!

Historians and Scholars have concurred for years that powerful civilizations of our past, such as Greece and Rome, were destroyed by a combination of as few as three or four of these symptoms of social, cultural, and moral decline; all self-created situations:

Knowledge and ignorance

Increase in Lawlessness; Loss of Economic Discipline; Rising Bureaucracy; Decline in Education; Weakening of Cultural Foundations; Loss of Respect for Traditions; Increase in Materialism; Rise in Immorality or Moral Decay; Decay of Religious Belief; Devaluing of Human Life

An excerpt from an article, A Tale of Three Empires by Jim Bramlett, contains a great example of both the Greek and Roman Empires and their fall. As you read, I beg you to utilize this time to not only gain knowledge of this unarguable history, but try to embrace the wisdom which can drawn from it!

“”In philosophy, in warfare, in the early sciences, in poetry, in grace of manners, in rhetoric, the Greeks excelled all civilizations that preceded it. No other race has ever produced, within a brief period, so many brilliant individuals as did the Greek people at the height of their glory.”

Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato, recognized the world over as sources of wisdom, helped ancient Greece become one of the highest civilizations ever to exist. The early Greeks held to a strict code of purity. Homosexuality was a capital offense. Greek arts and literature, the centerpiece of their society, extolled the virtuous man. Loyalty to the state and neighbors was among the highest callings. Self-sacrifice and examination were the norm. Two ancient maxims were inscribed on the walls of the temple at Delphi “Know Thyself” and “Nothing in Excess.”

greeceThe Greeks were noted philosophers and thinkers, yet their failure to come to an understanding of God subverted their success. A decline in virtue and morality swept the culture like wildfire. Absolute truth no longer existed. Greek society began to falter and drift. Despite their knowledge of democracy, a respect for the republican institutions of government, and their complex understanding of the principles of constitutional government, no stable political institutions were ever created in Greek society.

Materialism, sexual immorality, and self-absorption took over Grecian hearts.

Homosexuality was glorified. The stage and arts, once the hallmark of the noble Greek character, became lewd and violent. Lacking focus and a consensus of values, the once-great culture became gridlocked in a succession of civil wars. Years later, Greece succumbed to the Roman army. Ultimately, however, Greece was not destroyed by Rome, but by its own moral collapse.

Rome did no better. The Romans passionately sought great feats of engineering. They were tireless political administrators and organizers of military success. According to Russell Kirk, they were men of law and strong social institutions who gave the world Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. Observers said, “All roads lead to Rome.”

The strength of Rome lay in her political structures and her strong families. Both were governed by the concept of the “High Old Roman Virtue.” Romans believed strongly in being earnest, tenacious, well-disciplined, frugal, and self-sacrificing. Duty, honesty, and honor all complimented the virtue Cicero described as the foundation of all others — piety.

Rome

“A man was pious,” writes Russell Kirk, “who gave the gods their due through worship and sacrifice, who honored his father and mother, and indeed all his ancestors, who stood by his friends, who was ready to die if need be for his country. A pious man submitted himself to things sacred, and believed unflinchingly that it was better to perish than to fail in his sacred duties…A society that is held together by such a cementing belief would offer strong resistance to forces of disintegration.”

The nation slowly declined as wealth, power, and passion took first place in the Roman heart. Once again, society became preoccupied with sensuality.

Oppressive taxes, combined with moral decadence involving adultery and homosexuality, destroyed Roman families by the thousands.

Roman thinker Sallust observed, “Young men were so depraved by luxury and avarice that no father had a son who could either preserve his own patrimony or keep his hands off other men’s.”

As the bottom fell out of the social order, Roman citizens lost interest in piety and dignity and focused on day-to-day survival and instant gratification. Consequently, the Romans lost their respect for human life. Citizens worshiped the gladiators who fought in these arenas. Originally punishable by death, abortion became common, even encouraged. Violence was epidemic. Gang violence exploded, washing away the last vestiges of order. Soon after, ancient Rome collapsed.””

It is obvious what brought the civilizations to their knees, yet we continue to follow in their foot steps. It is possible that we are the fist civilization in history to possess all 10 of these social, cultural, and moral diseases at the same time! Have we reached a state of arrogance to believe that we possess the knowledge and know-how to to avoid this destruction while being fully immersed in all ten?

We The People

Ecclesiastes 1:9 states “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

So this brings us to the question of all questions; IS IT TOO LATE TO SAVE THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS? IS IT INEVITABLE THAT WE TOO SHALL FALL AS A NATION? I think not! That is, if there are enough of us out there that still believe in this country; in the principles by which it was established: One Nation Under God! Our future at this time is NOT decided for us; not yet! But time is running out! If we do not embrace the gift of free will that God so generously, and I imagine reluctantly, has given us and utilize it along with the wisdom that can be obtained by the history we have at our fingertips to begin turning the virtue and morality of our nation and world around, then yes we will fall victim to the same fate as many other great civilizations. But I believe we need not let our gift of knowledge be squandered in ignorance. We as a majority must turn back to God seeking wisdom! Proverbs 4:6-7 “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

20 Responses to “KNOWLEDGE minus WISDOM equals IGNORANCE”

  1. Deb Dutilh

    Your post is fascinating and a wake up call to more clarity and wisdom. Thanks for sharing such powerful thoughts and insights.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks Deb so much. My prayers are that we all come together and through wisdom realize that we can make a difference in our country and in the world. I appreciate your kind words! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kate

    Great article, a few things, as someone who lives outside the US, perhaps what the US isnt recognising is that its part of the world, the internet is connecting us globally, the Boston Marathon was a world event, its how we relate as nations, sort of the microcosm of the macrocosm. Society is dysfunctional. We strive for the wrong things. We dont reach out to our neighbour not because of technology, but because our success driven values are merciless. Pop a pill and keep on going, no introspection to clear out the multitude of traumas from the messed up values we all have to adhere to as part of society.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks for the insight Kate. Unfortunately popping a pill for me is not an option; I’d end up like a large portion of the population doing so and with my luck I’d end up an addict. I believe you are absolutely correct in saying the Boston incident was in fact a world event, and with that perspective I am even more hopeful because that opens the door to more people with free will to get involved and make a difference; if they haven’t already given up and medicated themselves! I appreciate you kind words and your view! Thanks for sharing with me!

      Reply
  3. Gwen Tanner

    Jeff, I think you bring up a bunch of great questions. Probably the only thing I remember from college at this point is the last quote you have here “Wisdom is the principle thing to get, but in your getting get understanding.” It took a while for me to understand that – but I live by it. I think wisdom is earned through experience. We all need to learn from the recent personal, social and cultural experiences – and ask why. We often don’t take time to understand why things happen, we just react to fix and prevent them from happening again.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks Gwen! You are so right that most of us gain wisdom through experience. One thing I will continue to pray for is that the one that IS taught in our educational systems us that if we want to learn something of great value, then embrace the wisdom of those that have gone before us; don’t spend your time trying to redo what they did, but rather use their experiences and wisdom in an applicable way to make a positive difference! I appreciate your kind words so much! 🙂

      Reply
    • Nathan

      Gwen, this was a really well written piece by Jeff. But the focus of “Why” in our culture (American culturally speaking, of course) is redundant when looking at the collective potential “fall” of the American society. Asking “Why” will bring no answers to anyone when we look at the Boston Marathon bombing, the Sandy Hook school shooting, and on and on. The reach for answers in the “Why” is a distraction our society is often turning to, like we can understand why sick people do sick things. I believe that Jeff’s post clearly answers the “Why” question… societal shifts are causing a paradigm breakdown. We need to stop the bleeding. And our morality is where this all starts. Whether in the US or abroad. Just my $.02!

      Reply
      • Jeff

        Thanks for the affirmation Nate! I agree in that most people are trying to find out the “individual” why as opposed to the “societal” why! This problem is bigger than any individual and regardless of how large the population gets, the root problem remains the same; moral collapse; it’s as old as Cain and Abel! I appreciate your view! 🙂

        Reply
  4. Kate

    I think for many popping a pill is the only option because striving for the eternal buck to put food on the table means theres no time to live a mindful and introspective life. Not to be crass but for us outside the US, tv coverage also shows the destructive impact the US has on other nations. I suppose its not any fun being the super nation and having to be called in to fight and defend territories relentlessly.

    Reply
  5. Bibi Goldstein

    So thought provoking, the history lesson was a good reminder. Thank you Jeff

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thank you Bibi! I think reflecting on history is something we all need to do more often! 🙂 And if wouldn’t hurt for them to put a little more of it back in our school systems; factual history that counts! I appreciate your post! Thanks os much! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ellen Christian

    If only we could collectively learn from our mistakes to make our future a better place to live.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks for the comment Ellen. The fact is we have within our ability to do so. But the desire to do some may only come by us finding a renewed care for our fellow man! It all starts with a renewed heart! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  7. laura

    You had me at the Title! I love that and putting in all the information you do makes it inspiring and generous of you !! Thanks for making me be WISE today 🙂

    Reply
    • Jeff

      WOW! Thanks for the kind words Laura! That in and of itself is wisdom; when we take the time to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters with kind words and encouragement. That is what gives me hope because I believe there are more kind hearted people left in the world than those that are self-centered and cruel. That is my prayers anyway! Thanks so much for responding! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Linda Ann - Working in Words

    Really important distinction — wisdom vs. knowledge.

    Visiting from the Ultimate Blog Challenge – doing EIGHT blogs!

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks Linda Ann! Seems most have a tendency to get the two confused or intertwined but there is a big difference! WISDOM is more important that knowledge in the terms of long survival of a culture! Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate you comment! 🙂

      Reply
      • Keity

        I was more than happy to find this internet-site.I wteand to thanks on your time for this wonderful read!! I positively enjoying each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

        Reply
  9. Donovan Dreyer

    Powerful piece, Jeff. History will repeat until it doesn’t. Human nature hasn’t ever changed… yet.

    So, what has repeated psychologically and spiritually in history? Well, I think you nailed it in the title. Self destruction repeats in ignorance. The arrogance of: “We are way too big and bad for history to repeat for us” has repeated and is in full swing presently. Nobody is too big to fail. The bigger a head gets, the harder and swifter the failure.

    What is the spiritual value of: “Know thyself?” At the deepest depths, we are one. Our relation to each other is as intimate as it gets. We are connected, divorce papers, or not; imaginary lines drawn on the map, or not; this color skin, or not; homosexual, or not; good behavior and relations, or not. Each of us is 100% responsible for whether or not history repeats. Each of us does our part to either ignorantly pull each other over the edge, or take our very next action to originate an act of care in alert wakefulness. It is our responsibility to begin change now.

    All of us are in this together. We are equal in responsibility to change. We are equal period. One more point on know thyself: Nothing needs to change to make any of our fellow brothers and sisters equal. We all matter. Some will be tougher to wake up and will continue to do harm despite our immediate passion and action to make change. Never mind. Know thyself as one with all and change will pour forth from you naturally.

    You are doing it, Jeff. Keep up the good.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Donovan, Thanks for the words of support and encouragement. I believe you said it best in regards to the bigger heads; rather than us seeking wisdom to balance out the knowledge we have, we have a tendency as a society, unfortunately, to lean into arrogance therefore bringing failure and destruction to ourselves quicker and with greater fall. We are truly 100% in this together and if everyone focused on “Know Thyself” as you mentioned, then I believe with honesty and a humble heart we would all realize we can begin changing the course of mankind by first changing our own hearts! Thanks again Donovan for taking time to share such a deep and profound comment! Keep up the good!

      Reply

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