“Wisdom is better than wit.”
-Jane Austen
Is it better to have wisdom or wit? Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Wit is that mental sharpness, inventiveness or keen intelligence and/or that innate ability to use words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humor. If you were to ask Novelist Jane Austen as you saw in today’s quote she’d say wisdom is better than wit. For me I believe you need a healthy balance of bother and I believe that it depends on the situations that we face in determining which is better to use. Both are useful if used in the correct manner and at the proper time.
Wisdom brings a sense of calmness to any situation and brings forth a more laser focused conversation towards solving any problem. What is even better is when and if it involves a group of people who bring their collective insight and wisdom to the conversation. I believe when this happens this leads to the potential of an even greater level of discussion with the possibility of an even greater result that can come from it. Wit however can serve as that ice breaker to break up what could be a tense situation. Sometimes, when properly and strategically used, it can actually help things along when a discussion may have reached a standstill between the group due to certain emotions getting in the way of solving whatever problem they may be currently facing. This should be something that relates to the conversation at hand and used to quickly get the sides back on track towards reaching a solution.
Wisdom and wit can be valuable resources that should be apart of our SEL toolbox and when the time comes use them to its fullest capabilities. We just need to be aware of when is the right time to use them to benefit the group and the situation at hand.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards improving your self awareness?
Becoming The Change 