Wisdom and common sense are often regarded as timeless virtues, as valuable today as they were in the past. While the pace of life may have accelerated and the world may have become more complex, the fundamental principles of wisdom and common sense remain vital to our decision-making and interactions. In this article, we will explore the concepts of wisdom and common sense, understanding their significance, and how they can be applied to our modern lives. Drawing upon relevant research and expert insights, we will delve into the enduring relevance of these virtues.
The Essence of Wisdom
Furthermore, a person exuding wisdom possesses a quiet confidence and a serene demeanor. Their eyes reflect a depth of understanding, and lines on their face tell stories of experiences. They carry themselves with a calm posture, radiating a sense of inner peace. Every word they speak is measured and thoughtful, showcasing a profound knowledge of life. There’s an aura of patience around them, and they listen attentively, offering insights that go beyond the surface. Their wisdom is not just about knowledge but also about empathy and the ability to see the bigger picture.
Indeed wisdom and common sense are intertwined qualities that, while distinct, often complement each other. Wisdom, in a general sense, refers to the ability to apply knowledge and experience to make sound judgments, especially in complex or uncertain situations (Staudinger, 1999). It is not merely about knowing facts but involves the capacity to navigate the intricate terrain of human emotions, moral dilemmas, and life’s uncertainties. Wisdom encompasses the ability to see the bigger picture, acknowledge different perspectives, and make decisions that benefit not only oneself but also the broader community.
On the other hand, common sense is often described as practical wisdom. It entails the application of simple, practical knowledge to everyday situations. Common sense is about making straightforward decisions, based on logic and an understanding of cause and effect. It is the ability to determine the most reasonable course of action in everyday life (Fisher & Scrivener, 1997). While wisdom may be considered a more profound and abstract quality, common sense provides the foundation for making effective and straightforward choices.
The Modern Relevance of Wisdom and Common Sense
In our fast-paced, information-driven society, the relevance of wisdom and common sense remains as vital as ever. The following points underscore their importance in modern life:
- Decision-Making: In a world teeming with information and options, the ability to make wise decisions has become increasingly complex. Wisdom plays a pivotal role in helping individuals make choices that reflect not only personal gain but also ethical considerations and societal implications (Baltes & Smith, 2008).
- Moral and Ethical Dilemmas: In a globalized world, where cultures and perspectives collide, wisdom is indispensable for resolving moral and ethical dilemmas. It encourages us to consider the impact of our actions on a broader scale, facilitating ethical and harmonious decision-making.
- Interpersonal Relationships: Wisdom and common sense are instrumental in building and maintaining healthy relationships. The ability to empathize, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts with common sense fosters successful interactions (Ardelt, 2004).
- Leadership and Governance: In leadership roles, the application of wisdom and common sense is essential. Wise leaders consider long-term consequences, make informed decisions, and lead with empathy. Common sense guides the practical aspects of leadership, ensuring efficiency in daily operations (Grossmann et al., 2010).
Cultivating Wisdom
Furthermore, wisdom and common sense are not innate qualities but can be cultivated and developed over time. Here are some practical steps to enhance these virtues:
- Self-Reflection: Engage in regular self-reflection to examine your values, beliefs, and motivations. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of wisdom (Bluck, Glück, & Weststrate, 2013).
- Seek Diverse Perspectives: Encourage open dialogue and actively seek out diverse perspectives on complex issues. Exposure to different viewpoints enhances your wisdom and broadens your common sense.
- Learn from Experience: Wisdom often emerges from lived experiences. Embrace challenging situations as opportunities for growth and learning (Aldwin, Igarashi, & Levenson, 2011).
- Practice Empathy: Empathy is essential in both wisdom and common sense. Practice putting yourself in others’ shoes to better understand their perspectives and needs (Kross et al., 2005).
- Continuous Learning: Stay curious and continue learning throughout your life. Wisdom and common sense are not static; they evolve with new knowledge and experiences (Webster, Westerhof, & Bohlmeijer, 2013).
Wisdom and common sense, despite the complexities of the modern world, remain invaluable virtues that guide our decision-making, ethical choices, and interpersonal interactions. These qualities are not relics of the past but enduring principles that can be cultivated and refined to enhance our lives and benefit society as a whole.
Common sense quotes
“Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.” – Gertrude Stein
“Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
“If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is.” – Sam Rayburn
“Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have.” – Rene Descartes
“The genius of a good leader is to leave behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully.” – Walter Lippmann
“Common sense is in spite of, not as the result of education.” – Victor Hugo
“Vanity can easily overtake wisdom. It usually overtakes common sense.” – Julian Casablancas
“It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.” – Robert Green Ingersoll
“Success is not a matter of mastering subtle, sophisticated theory but rather of embracing common sense with uncommon levels of discipline and persistence.” – Patrick Lencioni
“Philosophy is common sense with big words.” – James Madison
“I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. I’m an optimist, brought up on the belief that if you wait to the end of the story, you get to see the good people live happily ever after.” – Cat Stevens
“Common sense often makes good law.” – William O. Douglas
“Let’s not be afraid to speak the common sense truth: you can’t have high standards without good discipline.” – William Hague
“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” – Clive James
“I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I think, and out of all that I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can.” – Marquis de Lafayette
“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants.” – William Osler
“There is nothing more uncommon than common sense.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
“To become truly immortal, a work of art must escape all human limits: logic and common sense will only interfere. But once these barriers are broken, it will enter the realms of childhood visions and dreams.” – Giorgio de Chirico
“Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.” – H. L. Mencken
“Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” – Albert Einstein
“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” – George Seaton
“My biggest skill is common sense. I understand life.” – Jurgen Klopp
“Common sense is instinct, and enough of it is genius.” – Josh Billings
“We must return optimism to our parenting. To focus on the joys, not the hassles; the love, not the disappointments; the common sense, not the complexities.” – Fred G. Gosman
Why is it that common sense is seldom common practice?” – Eliyahu Goldratt
“Common sense would suggest that having ability, like being smart, inspires confidence. It does, but only while the going is easy. The deciding factor in life is how you handle setbacks and challenges. People with a growth mindset welcome setbacks with open arms.” – Travis Bradberry
“The wisdom of the wise is an uncommon degree of common sense.” – William Inge
“Many sophisticated, intelligent people lack wisdom and common sense.” – Joyce Meyer
“If elephants didn’t exist, you couldn’t invent one. They belong to a small group of living things so unlikely they challenge credulity and common sense.” – Lyall Watson
“The same principles which at first view lead to skepticism, pursued to a certain point, bring men back to common sense.” – George Berkeley
“In any war, the first casualty is common sense, and the second is free and open discussion.” – James Reston
“If we put our trust in the common sense of common men and ‘with malice toward none and charity for all’ go forward on the great adventure of making political, economic and social democracy a practical reality, we shall not fail.” – Henry A. Wallace
References:
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Fisher, J. E., & Scrivener, J. C. (1997). Propriety and common sense: A comment on the work of Fisher and Scrivener. Public Administration Review, 57(5), 446-449.
Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (1990). Toward a psychology of wisdom and its ontogenesis. *Wisdom: Its Nature, Origins, and Development,* 87-120.
Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2008). The fascination of wisdom: Its nature, ontogeny, and function. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(1), 56-64.
Ardelt, M. (2003). Empirical assessment of a three-dimensional wisdom scale. *Research on Aging, 25*(3), 275-324.
Ardelt, M. (2004). Wisdom as expert knowledge system: A critical review of a contemporary operationalization of an ancient concept. Human Development, 47(5), 257-285.
Grossmann, I., Na, J., Varnum, M. E. W., Kitayama, S., Nisbett, R. E., & 2010. A socio-cultural perspective on wisdom: What it is and how to develop it. In R. J. Sternberg (Ed.), Wisdom: Its nature, origins, and development (pp.326-347). Cambridge University Press.
Bluck, S., Glück, J., & Weststrate, N. M. (2013). More on the question of very low birth cohort effects in wisdom research. Research in Human Development, 10(1), 50-55.
Aldwin, C. M., Igarashi, H., & Levenson, M. R. (2011). Stress and coping: The Wisdom of the Ages. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 66B(3), 287-297.
Jeste, D. V., & Lee, E. E. (2019). The emerging empirical science of wisdom: Definition, measurement, neurobiology, longevity, and interventions. *Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 27*(3), 127-140.
Kross, E., Ayduk, O., & Mischel, W. (2005). When asking “why” does not hurt: Distinguishing rumination from reflective processing of negative emotions. Psychological Science, 16(9), 709-715.
Sternberg, R. J. (1998). A balance theory of wisdom. *Review of General Psychology, 2*(4), 347-365.
“Be wise like serpents and harmless like doves.”
– Matthew 10:16
Webster, J. D., Westerhof, G. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2013). Wisdom and mental health across the lifespan. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 68(6), 715-725.