Can wisdom contradict itself?
Sep 19th, 2008 by spaceagesage
I grew up fascinated with proverbs, wise sayings, sensible adages, common sense clichés, and pithy quotes. In our bookcase was a small publication called Apples of Gold that was filled with short proverbs about wisdom, such as “True nobility comes of the gentle heart” and “Wise men aren’t always silent, but know when to be.”
One thing that drove me crazy in my study of these sayings was when two of them contradicted each other. For example, “Look before you leap” seems to be contracted by “He who hesitates is lost.” Another example of seemingly opposite wisdom is, “You’re never too old to learn” and “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
It took me awhile to realize wisdom or common sense is not a science or formula where one piece of advice fits all situations. Wisdom and sensible thinking is not something to be divided or parceled; it is not something you can describe as black and white. I see it more as knowing how to bring insight, discernment, and clarity to a situation.
Now instead of being frustrated by opposing insights, I try to see where they each work best. Take these two:
1) Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu – chapter 76 (Translation: Alan Sheets and Barbara Tovey)
When people are born, they are soft and yielding.
When people die, they are stiff and unyielding.Ten-thousand things (everything) like grass and trees, when they are born, they are soft and supple.
When they die, they are rigid and dry.Stiffness and unyielding are death’s companions.
Softness and yielding are life’s companions.Unyielding armies will not win.
Unyielding trees become weapons.Great strength dwells below.
Weakness dwells above.
2) From Lord Alfred Tennyson:
“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
In one instance it seems we must flow with bendable natures to succeed. Like water, we move with power around and over obstacles instead of beating our head on them. In the other instance, it seems we are to be so strong willed and tough minded as to never yield. Like soldiers on the battlefield, we move as an unbeatable, unconquerable force.
Which path do you choose?
The more I live, the more I like yielding, as in Flowing with the Tao or “Let go and let God.” I find it is a nourishing and nurturing mindset where gentleness is stronger than I had ever imagined, where less is more, and where adversity melts when resistance isn’t given. In many ways it is almost magical.
And yet, part of me still sees survival as Tennyson would. If faced with a disaster or emergency, there is a tough, fiery courage that needs to come to the surface to handle it.
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What do you think?
Photo credit: speech path girl
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I really appreciated your quotes in this post. I like to employ BOTH wisdoms (when I can, and when I succeed). There are things I cannot bend on: my faith and standards, things like that. Then there are the rest of the things in life: bed time, what we eat for dinner, if I’m going on a walk tonight or if I’m going to sit and be a couch potato, things like that. On those things, I like to bend, be teachable and flexible. That way I’m a little more fun, and I’m able to see more of what the world has to offer.
Hi Lori,
Wow, did I ever relate to what you wrote. It seems so confusing that a wisdom that works in one circumstance doesn’t seem to apply in other. Articulating such systems is a daunting task.
I think with your particular example of yielding/unyielding, I’m with Sarah. There are some core principles that we seldom bend (though I wouldn’t say never), while others (particularly, how to do things) we need to be very flexible with.
One wise friend once told me, “context is everything.”
ari
Hi, Sarah —
I’m glad you liked the quotes. I’m rather fond of both sources. Yes, I agree there are things I’m resolute about, and I try to find a center from which to grow.
Hi, Ari–
To your quote “context is everything,” I would add “perspective is reality,” yes?
Thanks to you both for the comments!
I agree that different “wisdoms” can apply at different times to similar circumstances in our lives.
But, I don’t think I agree with this idea:
“Stiffness and unyielding are death’s companions.
Softness and yielding are life’s companions”
Death may be the ultimate softening, yielding and blending of human spirit into the universe of souls. Guess we won’t know until we get there. I agree that in nature, dying things such as trees and grass are stiff and dry, but while outwardly our bodies may wind up that way, I don’t think that is all there is to death.
I’ll be thinking more on this one. Thanks.
I love proverbs and wise sayings. I quote a lot of them on my site. It is true that sayings can be appropriate for certain situations and not in others. Sometimes, a saying by a known philosopher, author or speaker can create a more powerful impact than the description that I can put forth.
I’m also with idea of letting go and going with the flow. Sayings about having to work hard and struggling to reach success are appealing to me less.
Hi, Linda —
I believe Lao Tzu was referring to how the closing down and closing off of self can lessen life’s energy flow. He had seen in his life how war and government can harshly, rigidly, and inflexibly steal away the lives of people, and realized there is another way.
Hi, Evelyn,
I find the more I yield to the flow instead of resist, the more doors and hearts open.
Wow, being a Libra, I was already challenged on which path to take at times. I think you pick your spots, your moments; sometimes rash or immediate action is needed. While other times it makes sense to lie back and observe, like a cat eyeing a sparrow in the front lawn.
Really enjoyed this post and glad I discovered your blog.
peace,
mike
livelife365
Viva Avocado!
“Come, my friends, ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world….
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
Yes! That’s a great poem for contemplating losses (lowered standard of living thanks to the taxpayer/worker having to clean up the financial mess?) and our inevitable aging…”Tho’ much is taken, much abides.” Tennyson gives me courage. Although my version of the sentiment is more humble, “Doing the best I can with what I have left.”
I also fell in love with Lao-Tze when I was in my teens. He’s partially responsible for my philosophy of life: “Stay curious and open to life. No matter what happens keep learning and growing. Find what you love to do and find a way to share it with others.”
Great conversation. Thanks! I’ve added you to my technorati favorites.
Hi, Mike Foster —
Thanks for commenting and welcome!
Sometimes I pick my spots, but sometimes I find they pick me!
Hi, Jean Browman–Cheerful Monk —
Welcome to you! And thanks for the technorati fav.
That’s a great life philosophy you have. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for explaining the context of Lao Tzu’s quote, Lori.
This was an interesting perspective and I enjoyed the reading.
I appreciate quotes and cliches. They turn on a light for me and make “the mystery” easier to understand. I guess free will dictates how we apply the wisdom. We have a choice about how to use it and it’s pretty great that we can tailor our paths isn’t it?
Hi SpaceAgeSage,
Like you, I’ve always loved quotes and have also read “Apples Of Gold”.
I totally agree with what you’ve said. We do need to be yielding, but also possess courage when disaster strikes.
Hi, Linda — You’re welcome!
Hi, Davina —
I’m grateful for free will – one of the most amazing things in life.
Hi, Barbara —
I’m glad someone else read the book.
After writing my post and reading the replies, I can’t help but think of Kwai Chang Caine in the original TV series Kung Fu
Thanks for this inspiring post. I think that yielding is not to be confused with “limp”. The tree bends, but keeps growing upwards, not just flopping to the ground.
You can strive and be firm in your purpose, but flexible in the path you take. As you said in your post Tao Te Ching, chapter 68, “Like water flowing in a river, a person travels with the current instead of fighting it.”
Regards,
Gary
Hi, Gary –
Thanks for the kind words — and welcome! Yes, “limp” doesn’t quite capture the meaning, does it? Firm and flexible — that sounds good.