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CHAPTER 10, PART 2
Sage's Journal
August 21, 1988
Macon, GA
Wisdom is a combination of knowledge, the ability to think, and the teachings of the wise. … Sage and Simon have introduced you to some knowledge and teachings, as will Major Powers. Professor DeLuz has introduced you to critical thinking. I'll introduce you to the teachings of the wise.
…this famous proverb is directed to parents: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." That's the job of the parents — to teach their children wisdom. We learn wisdom from our parents by submitting to their instructions. …by submitting I mean listening and being receptive to what they say. Listening to loving and intelligent parents isn't a burden, but a benefit.
…unfortunately we foster kids often miss out on this early path to wisdom. That means we miss all the important lessons taught to children in more stable families. … However, it's within your power to correct this shortcoming by deciding to acquire wisdom. Wisdom is attainable if you'll seek it, and it's never too late to begin to acquire wisdom on your own. …as part of the Malchemy Transformation, training yourself in wisdom takes some time and effort, but others have succeeded in doing it, so it can be done.
Why pursue wisdom? Robert Louis Stevenson perhaps answered that best when he wrote, "We speak of hardships, but the true hardship is to be a dull fool, and permitted to mismanage life in our own dull and foolish manner." … In its simplest terms, we pursue wisdom to avoid mismanaging our lives.
Wisdom is the headlight that helps us navigate the dark roads of life. Without wisdom, we crash into or get hit with all of life's problems. With wisdom, we can see and then think our way around, over, under, or through life's problems. … Wisdom protects us against violating the Laws of Nature and other stupid acts by alerting us beforehand of the harsh consequences.
…because wisdom takes time to develop you shouldn't delay. Otherwise, you may not have wisdom when you need it most. …seek wisdom with your whole body: use your eyes to see it, your ears to hear it, your brain to remember it, your tongue to speak it, your hands to apply it, and your feet to walk in it.
…don't waste time chasing after money or possessions until you have obtained wisdom. Otherwise, it's an exhausting and fruitless chase. First pursue wisdom, and then riches and wealth will be easy to find. … Notice I'm not telling you to ignore riches and wealth. I'm telling you to first pursue wisdom.
…the benefits of wisdom are obvious. In addition to providing for their own physical needs, those who possess wisdom possess a level of understanding that others lack. Wisdom also orders one's mental and moral life with peace and security. … Those without wisdom often envy those who are prosperous and happy. They don't understand that, usually, the only difference between them and those they envy is wisdom, which is available to everyone equally.
"The teachings of the wise are sometimes called proverbs," says Rabbi. "In fact, one of the books of the Bible is called Proverbs. Have you read it?"
"No. I know I've heard of it, but I've never read it," I reply.
"Then it'll benefit you most right now for me to introduce you to that book by reading and explaining parts of it to you."
"OK."
"Later, after you've really gone through and understand Proverbs, we can talk about the other books of the Bible if you like."
"Uh-huh," I respond.
I hear something slide across the coffee table, followed by the thud of a book opening and the rustling of pages. "The ancient sages taught the principles that could guide their teens successfully through life. Many of those principles are written in the Book of Proverbs."
He flips pages in what I guess is a Bible, and I think it's funny he calls Sage ancient.
Sage's Journal
August 21, 1988
Macon, GA
Have confidence that what I'm teaching is true and correct. Also have confidence that I say what I do for no reason other than to benefit you. … After learning these proverbs, you can put your trust in them and apply them to your life.
The first set of principles has to do with controlling what you say and how you say it. … Even though it's one of the smallest parts of the body, the tongue is the most powerful and difficult. …it's powerful because it produces words, and words can change lives and world events. …it's difficult because it's so hard to control.
…words carry with them the power to heal or to harm. Sometimes words literally save lives or cause death, so be careful what you say and when you say it.
…a wise tongue speaks healing words of truth and peace. The wise person is careful about words and speech; they use caution, kindness, accurate content, courtesy, proper timing, and respect for both themselves and their listener. … The wise person also knows a soft answer often softens anger, while an angry answer often increases anger. A harsh situation doesn't always require a harsh response to prevail.
…a foolish tongue speaks harmful words of lies and strife. Much is known about the consequences of harmful words. …quarreling words are like a swinging sword, cutting everyone within reach. …lying words are dangerous enough to kill an innocent man. …flattering words are a trap for the listener, and gossip can lead to trouble. …harmful words can't be called back any more easily than a fired bullet can be reeled back into its barrel.
Lying destroys effective communication and mutual trust. Even if someone gains a temporary advantage with a lie, the lie will eventually be made public. Thereafter, people aren't likely to believe the liar, even if he speaks the truth. … A lie tells your listener that you hate them and want to hurt them.
An evil person likes to spread unkind gossip about the weaknesses and shortcomings of others. Unkind gossip hurts the subject and is often an attempt to compensate for the speaker's own inadequacies. … Even the truth about someone, concerning a shortcoming of his or hers, can be hurtful. …don't believe anything bad about others unless you can verify what you heard and it affects you. …don't repeat it unless absolutely necessary.
…a fool is always saying the wrong thing because a fool speaks without thinking. Since they broadcast their every thought with unchecked words, fools produce trouble for themselves and others. …avoid being the fool. First think of the consequences of your words and then keep your words to a minimum.
…wisdom consists partly of being a person of few words, so it makes sense that silence is better than useless yakking. Abraham Lincoln correctly noted, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."
…wise people listen and properly time their words. For even when they present the truth and their speech is correct, they know their message may be lost if spoken at the wrong time. …fools, on the other hand, are hasty in their speech, even answering before hearing. … Wise people also try to present their point quickly to avoid losing their audience.
"Stop, my hand is going to fall off," Sage exaggerates.
"I don't blame you," responds Rabbi. "You'd think you'd get a tape recorder or something."
"You'd think you wouldn't talk so much," she says. He laughs at her, and we break for a while.
Rabbi lets me touch the Ambassador engine parts and shows me how some fit together. Everything is smooth, even the toothed gears, and covered in a thin film of oil. Sage reappears after a long absence and asks, "When are you going to restore Diogenes?"
"Not sure," Rabbi says, "original parts are hard to find on that model."
"What are you talking about?" I ask.
"One of my motorcycles is a 1971 Harley Super Glide, named after the Greek philosopher Diogenes."
"You remember that trip through the Badlands and Southwest on it? You barged into my dorm room…"
"Like it was this morning," Rabbi interrupts, "but let's not give our friend here any…"
"You're right," she says quickly, "you're right."
"Hold up, I think I need to hear about this. What trip?"
"No way, Bucko," she says, as she puts here arm around my neck and leads me back to the couch, "no way."
"All right," he says, "back to Proverbs."
Sage's Journal
August 21, 1988
Macon, GA
…some environments are good and some bad. …the wise person seeks a good environment. As soon as is practical, wise people will leave the place where they don't prosper in search of a place they will prosper. …the wise ignore those who advise against obtaining wisdom. …the wise avoid following after vain people and worthless pursuits. In sum, the wise attend to themselves and their own development before expanding their reach.
Humans constantly try to use each other…but the wise don't allow another to use them against their will. …neither do the wise oppress or exploit other people, particularly the naïve or poor.
…the strength of our character is revealed even in our smallest gestures and actions, so the wise watch and consider their acts as a gauge of their character. …there's no strength of character in beauty or charm. Despite what advertisers tell us, strength of character comes from wisdom and honor. Likewise, wisdom is more powerful than human strength or the possession of material goods.
…the wise person prepares for tomorrow but doesn't spend much time or energy on the task, preferring to plan and live for today. …the wise person does approach important tasks with careful planning and as much guidance from others as necessary.
A popular proverb reads, "Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterward build thine house." One meaning of this proverb is that the wise person first gets her own life together before marrying or starting a family.
The person well skilled in their trade will stand far above ordinary people. …so the wise don't falsely brag or call attention to themselves. They know that if they are worthy, others will brag and boast about them.
Patience and a forgiving spirit are traits of a wise person, although both are often misunderstood as weaknesses. … Take a lesson from the animal kingdom: large bears generally shy away from confrontation, but once threatened with real danger, they rarely yield until their enemy is dead; little dogs yap at everything, but once threatened with real danger, they run and hide.
…because of education and experience, the wise person can often foresee the thoughts and actions of others. When the wise sense danger or evil, they work to avoid both.
…to trust entirely in yourself and your advisors is foolish because there are too many dangers in the world. Learn to trust God. … Yes, we humans have free will, but the wise person subjects his ways to God. In return, God offers guidance that leads to success. Align your thoughts and plans with God's laws and purpose; your thoughts and plans become real when subject to God — the source of wisdom. …another proverb reads, "When a person's ways please God, He makes even their enemies to be at peace with them."
…the wise have also written that to help the poor is to help God, who will repay you with long life and prosperity. …another proverb states, "By humility and the knowledge of God are riches, and honor, and life." One meaning of this proverb is to first seek a relationship with God and then seek riches.
Your conscience is that voice that springs from your heart, telling you to do the right thing. …the wise learn to listen to and follow their conscience. Your conscience says, "Do what is right," but doesn't always tell you what is right. … Your ability to make a good decision will help you determine what is right.
Your conscience often speaks to you when there's a difference between what you want and what others expect, whether you seek what is right and they seek evil or you seek evil and they seek righteousness. … Your conscience may require you to oppose others by doing what is right for others or yourself, even when that decision isn't popular.
…following your conscience protects your sanity. When you screw up, and you will, confess and make an effort not to repeat the error. …although certainly not popular, confessing to those you have failed will help clear your conscience and correct your future actions.
…most fears are imaginary and never come to pass. That's why the wise fear only that which is an actual danger and then work to remove that danger. … A wise person seeks to overcome her fears so that she doesn't go through life paralyzed by her imagination.
A clear conscience makes one unafraid, as taught by this proverb: "The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are bold as a lion." … Another meaning of this proverb is not to fear or be envious of the evil person; he may be successful for a short time, but there's no good future in his ways. His strength will eventually be destroyed.
…to be jealous means to be unhappy because of the success of others. …likewise, to be jealous is to be glad about the misfortune of others. … The wise realize jealousy springs from one's own insecurities and is a pettiness that hurts the jealous person. Recognize your own jealousy as a signal to make a change within yourself.
…a popular proverb reads, "The eyes of man are never full." This means that our envy and desire for physical things are never satisfied. …however, the wise control their desire for physical things and don't strive to acquire merely for the sake of acquiring.
Like foolish speech, unrestrained anger often causes great harm. …the wise person is slow to anger, because she has self-control. Having self-control doesn't mean you're a coward. You need to learn self-control, because you can't successfully interact with others if you can't first control yourself. …the wise focus their justified anger into constructive channels, whether to build up or tear down, while the fool just vents.
Dishonesty seems more common than honesty, but because life is too complex for us to verify every act of the dishonest person, everyone soon tires of and rejects the dishonest person. …the wise person seeks to be both honest and trustworthy, thus making himself unusual and much more valuable than the common person.
For some, being dishonest is a sport, a game to see how much they can take advantage of others. …the dishonest person gains riches by deceit and is proud because his riches came with only a little dishonest effort. But after the dishonesty is discovered, his ill-gotten wealth is a trap. … So it's better to be a wise person of modest wealth than a dishonest rich person.
"This is a lot to digest at one time, isn't it, Peter?" Rabbi asks.
"My head is swimming," I reply. "Sage is going to have to read this all to me a couple of times."
"I understand," he replies, "I understand. Maybe it'll be helpful to just remember the general topics we've covered so far. You can focus on the specifics later."
"All right," I say.
"Since our last break," Rabbi says, "we've talked about how the wise think and live, trusting in God, listening to and following your conscience, fearing only real danger, avoiding jealousy and envy, directing justified anger, and the value of being honest."
"Slow down, Gabriel," Sage says, "I'm not a machine you know."
"I'll try, but I'm only hitting the basics, and there's plenty more. —
Sage's Journal
August 21, 1988
Macon, GA
…rushing through important tasks results in sloppiness and frequent failure. Hasty people, those who mistake quantity for quality, fail to weigh the consequences of their rushed actions. …the wise recognize that they can't address everything that calls to their attention, so they decide among the options and address important things carefully. Often our most difficult decisions aren't between good and bad, but between better and best. … A life run in haste finishes quickly and misses a lot along the way.
Another proverb reads, "A cheerful heart is good medicine." A related saying is, "A happy spirit can heal your injury, while a broken spirit can kill your health." …the wise have always known cheerfulness improves life, and it seems that modern medicine is finally beginning to agree. … Maintaining a positive outlook is a deliberate act that takes practice.
…begin cultivating a positive outlook if for no other reason than to help you through your current difficulty. A positive outlook helps develop faith that all things can be made to work to some good result. … As an example of a negative experience made to work to some good result, if Sage hadn't suffered through foster care, she wouldn't be of such value to you now.
…if you're a lazy person, it's unlikely that you'll be able to overcome your harsh beginning. The lazy person, the one who wants only to relax and be at ease, will only bring ruin upon himself. …the wise person understands there's simply no place for laziness in a successful life.
…the lazy person is hungry, and so they should be. …the wise understand that mere physical or emotional hunger isn't a bad condition — for the short term — if it motivates a lazy individual to become productive.
…a wise person wants a few true friends and to be a true friend herself. The person with a true friend has one of life's great treasures, because it's better to have a few trusted friends than many acquaintances, some of whom may be dishonest. …and the wise choose their friends carefully, because the wise understand their friends are a strong influence.
Friendship takes time to develop and maintain, and then it takes work to keep in good order. Accordingly, limit the number of friends you have to the time you can devote to them.
…another proverb reads, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." This proverb, written centuries before James Allen wrote similar words, suggests you can tell what type of person someone is by what they say and do. …the wise avoid certain types of people, because associating with them leads to conflicts and other problems.
…avoid those who are undependable or frequently change their minds, and also those who are contentious and a source of strife. The latter start fights and are quick to join a fight in progress. …others to avoid are those who are constantly angry and those who are simply evil. Avoid these people, because the more you associate with others, the more you become like them. …the wise also avoid activities that cause unnecessary strife, because it's foolish to be constantly quarreling. … While the wise person seeks to avoid strife, she does aid the weaker person in danger.
…the wise avoid behaviors that are harmful. "He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loves wine and art shall not be rich." This proverb isn't suggesting we avoid pleasure or wine or art. It's suggesting too much self-indulgence is harmful. …accordingly, the wise avoid harmful self-indulgent behaviors.
Avoid overeating and overdrinking; both destroy good health. Especially avoid illicit drugs and excessive alcohol; both bring poverty and disgrace. … To lose control of your senses because of drugs or alcohol undermines your efforts to overcome your harsh beginning and succeed. … Avoid sex with anyone other than your spouse, or be prepared for the consequences, many of which are physically and emotionally painful.
A proverb that was popular centuries ago, but is just as important today, states "The law of the wise is a foundation of life, it guides away from the snares of death." One meaning of this proverb is that the wise follow the law in order to avoid trouble. But which laws? All the laws.
…another proverb notes, "Those that forsake the law follow the wicked; but those that keep the law oppose the wicked." So the wise person follows the laws created by the legal systems that govern them, assuming those are just laws. Legal systems throughout the world have created unjust laws, and it's not wrong to oppose unjust laws.
…the wise parent follows the law and teaches their children to do the same. Those who break the law shame themselves and their families.
…those who are truly wise are aware of their own ignorance and seek advice from others.
"Head still swimming?" Rabbi asks.
"No," I respond, "I'm underwater and drowning."
"I understand," he replies, "I truly understand. And I predict that eventually you'll understand that all this information is your lifejacket — you just need to grab it and slip it on."
"We'll see," is all I can promise as I fight to stay awake.
"Fair enough," Rabbi says. "Now, since our last recap, we've talked about hasty actions, a positive outlook, laziness, friendships, people and behavior to avoid, and the law as a guide."
"Oh, is that all?" Sage sighs, "seems like there was more."
"No, that's it," Rabbi replies, "and I can tell you're both getting tired. Let's knock off, and you can stay here tonight."
"Nope, sorry. I've got an early appointment tomorrow," says Sage.
"Then let's cover one more area today: wealth and money. We can do the rest another time."
"Whatever," says Sage, "my hand is so cramped and numb, I can barely write. Let's just push on."
Sage's Journal
August 21, 1988
Macon, GA
People often spend their adult lives chasing wealth. …they ignore the fact that their needs are met, and they don't need the additional money. Our physical needs are fulfilled when we have sufficient nourishment and protection for the body. The rest are wants we create. … Wealth provides certain advantages, but it can't guarantee a happy life. In fact, there may be as many miseries associated with wealth as benefits.
Wealth can have ill effects on its owners because…it instills a false sense of security…produces conceit and distrust…brings worries…creates a barrier to relationships…and causes one to have a stake in the status quo. There are even dangers associated with ill-gotten wealth.
Wealth by itself isn't the problem. The love of wealth is what creates problems for us humans. … In our blind pursuit of wealth, we forget a number of things: wealth doesn't make you more intelligent… wealth can't always save you from the consequences of your stupid or evil actions…wealth is less important than your integrity… wealth should not be acquired greedily…and you should share your wealth. … One proverb reads, "Riches lead to success for the righteous, but to failure for the wicked."
…the wise understand that they can have both wisdom and wealth, but if given a choice, they pursue wisdom before they pursue wealth. This is because wisdom continues to produce money, while money, once it's spent, is gone and of no further use. In that regard, wisdom is far better than money. … Don't be in a hurry to be rich, or desire instant riches; they bring trouble if you haven't been trained to deal with the responsibility of wealth. That's why it's important to grow your wealth with skill and intelligence.
…neither do the wise let selfishness or greed guide their lives; instead they reel in their envy and turn their attention to building their wealth thoughtfully. …the wise understand and apply two principles as they build their wealth: peace, even with a lack of physical comforts, is better than strife with luxury; and a trustworthy name is more valuable than money.
…wealth tends to be temporary. Many proverbs observe that easily or hastily acquired wealth seldom lasts. … Experience teaches that during a bull market, many people are made millionaires, but will just as often lose everything in a bear market.
Many proverbs advise against trying to gain wealth by questionable means or through the exploitation of others. The reason is that through observation, perhaps of a supernatural law, we know that ill-gotten gain often destroys its owner. … Before you praise the rich person for their wealth, look closely to see whether they acquired their wealth honorably.
…the wise understand that humans rarely have to choose between being either poor and righteous or rich and wicked. Everywhere there are people who are poor and wicked or rich and righteous. … If you truly find you must make that choice, it's better to be poor and righteous than rich and wicked, because prosperity follows righteousness while the wealth of the wicked is quickly destroyed.
…the wise person will not be surety for another. In other words, they will not agree to guarantee the debts of another. … This doesn't mean the wise will not lend money or give gifts of money if they can afford it, but the wise avoid responsibility for the failure of another person to pay their own debts.
…the wise also avoid borrowing money as much as possible. Sometimes borrowing is unavoidable, but the wise realize that when they borrow, they become a slave to the lender. …the wise always repay their own debts.
By virtue of acquiring wisdom and wealth, the wise person is often in a position of power and responsibility. In this position, they are able to share their wisdom or wealth when the opportunity presents itself, and they should not refrain from doing so.
…what we said earlier about idle and lazy people applies also to acquiring wealth. To be a slacker is to invite poverty, but to be diligent is to invite wealth.
Almost all of us in foster care own nothing, grow up poor, and have nothing when we age out. We all desperately seek to escape poverty, which we should, and most of us are willing to work hard to change our situation. …the wise person would not advise against escaping poverty, but they would caution us not to strive to be too rich too fast, so that we merely trade one set of extreme problems for another.
If you follow my instruction and train yourself to be wise, your success will be both your reward and my reward.
"Peter, I'm sure that's enough enlightenment for one day," Rabbi says, closing his Bible. "And I'm sure Sage is all about stopping."
"Uh-huh," she and I respond together. "But thanks," I add. "I appreciate you introducing me to the teaching of the wise."
"You're welcome. Do you have a Bible?"
"Uh, no."
"Then you can have mine. It has my name printed on the cover, sorry."
"No, no. That's fine, that's fine. I mean I'll take it. Thanks."
"Thanks Gabriel, I appreciate it also," says Sage.
"Not a problem, really. My pleasure. Peter, do you have someone who can read Proverbs to you?"
"Uh-huh, Sage and Mrs. Adkins. Maybe the reader from school, if she is allowed to read the Bible."
Rabbi growls something about real knowledge being kept from students and then says, "I'm frequently up in Atlanta. You or Sage call me if you need someone to read you the Bible, and I'll stop by your house."
"OK," I respond, and then ask, "On your motorcycle? Will you take me for a ride?"
"We'll see," he says. "Better talk to your foster mom first."
I say good-bye to Rabbi and wait on the porch a few minutes while he and Sage talk on the other side of the front door. I flip the cover of my watch to find it's 9:20 PM. I can't believe I've been here over twelve hours.
Sage and I walk to her truck and begin the nighttime drive home. I'm tired of sitting all day, but do not complain. I'm sure Sage is worst off because, again, she has done all the real work today.
"My hand's fine," I offer after miles of silence.
"I'm just glad he didn't pull you apart like a well-done turkey," she says before starting to laugh.
"He seemed to understand," I mumble.
"He always has," she says, shifting gears and accelerating. "And like God, I think he always will."
Chapter 10, Part 1
Socratic Method questions for Chapter 10
Understanding the Guide
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