Anyone can memorize a definition of wisdom or justice from a book. Self-help books are full of sweeping generalizations about the good life. Folk wisdom likewise contains notoriously contradictory sayings. From “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” to “He who hesitates is lost,” we have many proverbs that offer conflicting advice. The truth, of course, is that sometimes it is good to rush in; other times it is better to pause for thought. We must learn to adapt to circumstances. Wisdom requires being able to identify when a rule no longer holds true, and good advice becomes bad advice.
