CHAPTER 2

ON THE SEEKERS OF WISDOM

WHO THEY ARE AND HOW THEY ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST BLISS

After having said a few things about the nature of wisdom in the preceding chapter, and showing the basis of these observations in Scripture, it is now time to turn our attention to the philosophers or seekers of wisdom and why they are so profoundly happy. In order to keep our comments reasonably short, let us begin by stating that a philosopher or seeker of wisdom is someone who fears God, avoids sin and strives with his whole heart to recognize the one true God as the source of all life and being; to love, honor and be devoted to him, to live for and to serve him in holiness and justice all the days of his life. This is the basis of all heavenly and earthly wisdom, insofar as it can be recognized and comprehended by all creatures within and outside of God. In this knowledge the seeker of wisdom can achieve great things through the grace of God. The author of the Wisdom of Solomon says in chapter 7: “God grant that I may speak according to his will, and that my own thoughts may be worthy of his gifts; for even wisdom is under God's direction and he corrects the wise; we and our words, prudence and knowledge and craftsmanship, all are in his hand. He himself gave me true understanding of things as they are: a knowledge of the structure of the world and the operation of the elements; the beginning and end of epochs and their middle course; the alternating solstices and changing seasons; the cycles of the years and the constellations; the nature of living creatures and behavior of wild beasts; the violent force of winds and the thoughts of men; the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots. I learnt it all, hidden or manifest, for I was taught by her whose skill made all things: wisdom.”

From these words we can understand what qualities characterize true philosophers, who they are and what high levels of insight and wisdom they can attain. This also explains their general state of contentedness, particularly since it is their good fortune to be blessed by God with such great wisdom and knowledge of all things. But we should also take into consideration what was written in Proverbs 8, verse 17, “Those who love me I love, those who search for me find me. In my hands are riches and honor, boundless wealth and the rewards of virtue. My harvest is better than gold, fine gold, and my revenue better than pure silver. I follow the course of virtue, my path is the path of justice; I endow with riches those who love me and I will fill their treasuries.” Solomon writes in his Book of Wisdom, chapter 8: “If riches are a prize to be desired in life, what is richer than wisdom, the active cause of all things? If prudence shows itself in action, who more than wisdom is the artificer of all that is? If virtue is the object of man's affections, the fruits of wisdom's labors are the virtues; temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude, these are her teaching and in the life of men there is nothing of more value than these.” If we take into consideration all these things that Scripture says about the happiness of the seekers of wisdom, we will find that it is so great as to be indescribable with words. We would have to be more than a bit foolish not to follow Solomon's example of loving, seeking and relying on wisdom such that it becomes second nature to us. For in so doing we will be blessed and happy for all time and through eternity.

Take care of your clever comments, you fools, and take our advice to heart. Let your ears be open to wisdom and incline your hearts to it! Follow its discipline, which is more precious than silver and listen to its teachings, which are more costly than gold. Submit yourself to its yoke and let yourself be led; it is close by and awaits your response. Rejoice in the mercy of God and do not hesitate to praise him. Do what is asked of you because the time to do so has been given to you, and it will reward you well in its own time.