The Meaning of Wisdom (by Mike Zellers)

I suppose there are many ways one can define wisdom. My parents were intelligent people, although not educated beyond high school. Intelligence and knowledge, however, is not wisdom. One can possess all sorts of knowledge, but as St. Paul said, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge ..., but have not love, I am nothing.” For me, true wisdom relates the wisdom of leading a good life – a life full of love. My parents wisdom is shown in the way they lead their the lives. They were good, selfless and hardworking. They took pleasure in the simple things. They never put things ahead of people.

Society has all sorts of stereotypes, which persist despite being shown to be inaccurate time and time again. Derek Bailey and John Cage remained creative and vital people to an advanced age. More than that though, they remained iconoclasts. I find it very amusing to watch YouTube videos of these great musicians brilliant work and see the negative, narrow minded comments from undoubtedly younger commenters – saying that Bailey and Cage make noise and not music – exactly the same sort of comments stereotypically associated with grandfatherly looking types such as Bailey and Cage about newer forms of music such as rock and hip hop. Their wisdom shined in their art and the attitude that pervades it.