On True Wisdom

...you may appear a fool, and then you have touched wisdom. For you will truly seem a fool to yourself only then, when you reach the knowledge of yourself. Furthermore, since wisdom original: "sapientia" is named from "to taste" original: "sapere"; in Latin, the word for wisdom is etymologically linked to the word for tasting or sensing a flavor, suggesting that wisdom is an experiential "relishing" of truth rather than just intellectual facts, he is judged to be truly wise to whom things taste as they are. This is a person who knows how to use transitory things in such a way that they do not stand in the way of eternal things; who also knows how to use the world moderately and purely, so that he may enjoy God himself as much as possible. Finally, this is true wisdom, by which God tastes sweetly to the wise person who lives by His spirit. By this wisdom, he orders his life, composes his habits, directs his actions, and seasons and shapes all his works with a certain divine flavor. By this same wisdom, he also anoints those men with whom he dwells here with the oil of gladness a biblical reference to Psalm 45:7, signifying the joy of the Holy Spirit of grace, so that seeing his good works, they may glorify the Father who is in heaven. He holds grace toward his friends, patience toward his enemies, beneficence toward those he can help, and benevolence toward all to whom it is due—despising no one, judging no one, loving all, and desiring that all be saved in the depths of charity. Lastly, to conclude briefly with the words of Bernard St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century mystic and monk whose writings emphasized the "heart" over the "head": "You have found wisdom," he says, "if it deletes your past evils, if you value these present goods little, and if you desire future goods with all the longings of your heart." Orator. You said I must become a fool in order to be wise. Which I will indeed only be able to achieve, as you say, when I begin to know myself. Explain, therefore, in what way I might attain knowledge of myself? LAYMAN. Remember first of all, Orator, and turn over in your mind many times what you are. For indeed, great...