WISDOM

THE beginning of wisdom is to fear God, but the end of it is to love him. The highest learning is to be wise; and the greatest wisdom, is to be good. The wise man looks forward into futurity, and considers what will be his condition millions of ages hence, as well as what is at present. A wise man, says Seneca, is provided for occurrences of any kind: the good he manages, the bad he vanquishes; in prosperity he betrays no presumption, and in adversity he feels no despondency.

The chief properties of wisdom are to be mindful of things past, careful for things present, and provident for things to come.

He that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.

It is the part of wisdom to do great things without a fuss. When Solomon, the wisest of men, built his wondrous temple, no sound of saw or hammer was heard therein.