True Wisdom

"...Be not desirous to seem wise, for those who affirm themselves to be wise become fools" (142).
True wisdom was the topic i wrote about in my first paper for core class. I described true wisdom as the ability to know one's limits as far as his ability is concerned and to accept constructive criticism from others. Pride tends to inflate ones sense of his abilities. Many will think that they are correct when it comes to all subject matters and will not take criticism from others. I felt that this quote from Augustine really relates to what I had been trying to say through my paper.

Often we feel superiority over other people because of certain accolades we have. We consider ourselves to be above certain people and because of this refuse to take advice from them. I have noticed throughout my experiences that I have struggled with this concept. Although I have become better at listening to others ideas, I had not always been this way.

When I was younger, I hated listening to other people criticize me and I could not stand taking advice from others. I was very stubborn and almost dogmatic in the belief that my input in anything was far more valuable than that of my peers. Many times I probably angered my peers because I had been condescending to them. I always found it humiliating to have to listen to other people.

Only when I was in high school did I start to change my ways. I realized that the more criticisms I received, the better a person I would become. The more perspectives one can receive on a certain issue, the better off he will be. The more perspectives he will receive, the more chances he will find an error in whatever he is seeking to accomplish. I have found that by accepting other's criticism I have become a better friend, son and student. In entirety, I feel I have become a better person.