Reading chapter 9 of Proverbs the other day, I was struck by the way in which both Wisdom (v 4) and Stupidity (v 16) try and get the attention of passing people with the same cry of:

“Whoever is naive should turn in here…”

At times of great decision-making such as this, I think we would do well to remember that it is not always easy to tell wisdom apart from stupidity: at least, not at first. It therefore seems to me that we would do well to wish for the gift of discernment to be able to more accurately separate them.

It also seems to me that we would do well to wish for the gift of patience, because true discernment often takes time. If we rush to a conclusion, then we may well miss the opportunity of gaining real understanding. We would, therefore, also do well to be wary of those who tell us to trust them with their easy shortcuts for choosing between wisdom and stupidity.

If wisdom and stupidity are difficult to tell apart, it stands to reason that we will, from time to time, be stupid when we think we are being wise. To guard against this, I think we would do well to always be open to the possibility that we might not be right in our judgements or in our beliefs: even our foundational beliefs.

When asked recently for her favourite quotation, Lady Hale (of prorogation judgement and spider-broach fame) responded with the following from Judge Learned Hand:

“The spirit of liberty is that spirit which is not too sure that it is right.”

She went on to say: “I try not to be too sure that I am right.” (Brief Encounter, Prospect Magazine, December 2019) I think that’s an attitude we’d all do well to emulate.

My prayer at this time is as follows. In true primary-school fashion, feel free to join in with the Amen at the end if you want to make it your prayer too:

Lord Jesus,

At this time of decision,
Grant us the gift of discernment,
That we may better separate wisdom from stupidity.
Grant us the gift of patience,
That we may open ourselves to real understanding.
Grant us the gift of humility,
That we may never be too sure that we are right.

Amen