What is it that makes one wise? Most remember the old saying that has pretty much become a cliché:

Early to bed, and early to rise
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise

The implication is that if I get enough sleep and start work early in the day that I will be successful. I’m sure a search of what has become my good friend Google (or bad, depending on what terms I use in my searches) will lead to plenty of evidence to prove that a sufficient amount of sleep can have many positive effects on my life. There is also a sufficient amount of merit in beginning work early in the day, for who knows what unforeseen circumstances might arise to interfere with the day’s plans? It is always best to not put things off until the last minute for that same reason. Life has a way of throwing obstacles in our paths that lead to unnecessary stress when approaching a deadline for something that could have been accomplished some time ago.

Per the website https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_WordCount.htm (accessed February 17, 2020), the word “wisdom” appears 181 times in the Old Testament and 53 times in the New Testament in the King James Version. The classic incident that comes to most minds is Solomon’s very “wise” choice of asking wisdom of God when God promised him that he could have anything he desired. The very fact that Solomon chose wisdom indicates he already possessed this great attribute. The scene in I Kings 3 in which two women argued as to which of them was a certain child’s mother confounds some minds as to Solomon’s wisdom put into practice. Solomon decreed that the child be chopped in two and each woman receive half. The false mother agreed, and thereby proved her stupidity, for what good would half of a dead child have done her? Even those who think this was really foolish of Solomon realize that the end result did indeed determine which of the claimants was the real mother.

I am convinced that the epitome of wisdom is captured in these two verses from the book of Proverbs:

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. (10:19 KJV)

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (12:18 KJV)

Practically every unpleasant situation and broken relationship in which I have ever been involved happened because someone (many times it was me) ran his/her mouth when silence would have been preferred. As worded in an email I once received:

SOME THINGS ARE JUST BETTER LEFT UNSAID—
AND I USUALLY REALIZE IT RIGHT AFTER I SAY THEM.

Bad as it is when this happens verbally, it is even worse when put into writing.

If you would like some very current examples of unwise use of speech, just observe the upcoming election for president. To ensure equality, there will be evidence of misuse and abuse of the spoken and written word by members of both major political parties. I particularly find it somewhat disconcerting and simultaneously amusing to witness the traditional practice in which members of the same political party who campaign for the same political office tear each other apart until one emerges as forerunner and wins the party nomination—then those same people who so disparaged the ability of their party’s nominee will band together to support the platform of their party. What was “untied” is now “united”! Suddenly the differences of opinion or slanderous charges no longer matter as long as the party wins the election.

How much different might the world be if all politicians had the wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. I remember a time in my life when a wise man once said nothing. When I served as principal of Sharps Chapel School, I once had a problem and turned to the then former Superintendent/Director of Union County Schools, Mr. David F. Coppock, for direction. He knew that what I really wanted him to do was make the decision for me and was wise enough not to do so. He listened to my plight, and responded with silence. I asked, “What do you want me to do?” He replied, “Well.” Then more silence. I replied that I could proceed with Scenario One. He replied, “Humph.” I said, “Or I could . . .” Scenario Two. Mr. Coppock responded, “Umhuh.” In mild frustration, I said, “Well, what do you want me to do?” Mr. Coppock wisely replied, “Dr. Mincey, that’s why you make that extra dollar.” David Coppock can say more with less words than any man I’ve ever met. This has been to date my greatest example of leadership put into practice. Had he told me what to do rather than guide me to make my own decision, I would have never have learned to make my own leadership decisions.

If I might take the liberty, I would like to frame the Serenity Prayer as follows:

God grant me the power to speak when necessary,
Satisfaction from remaining silent when best,
And understanding to know the difference.

Next week I’ll share a few thoughts about ways to encourage others. As I come to a close for this week, I’ll share with you an email I once received relating how someone else rewrote the Serenity Prayer:

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never really liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones I do,
And the eyesight to tell the difference.