We can be knowledgeable with other men’s knowledge, but we can’t be wise with other men’s wisdom.*
Michel de Montaigne

Homo sapiens, meaning wise one, appeared 200,000 years ago. We are latecomers in this [Earth] story. The term “wise ones” does not accurately describe what we have done to one another and to Earth, but it could yet describe what we will become.**
Philip Newell

Wise men or magi figure in
the Christmas story:
I hope that I’m on a journey
from knowing to wisdom –
Wisdom being a blossoming
of humility, gratitude, and faithfulness,
Becoming a person of courage and generosity –
Wisdom is knowledge in motion,
Not only as something I’m doing, but also
Something I’m becoming –
Another couple of hundred thousand years
would be nice, but I’ll do what I can with
what I have.

*David Brooks’ The Road to Character;
**Philip Newell’s The Great Search.