“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
Intelligent people sometimes do stupid things; however, wise people are less likely to. A quote by an unknown author sums up the differences well: “Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.” Wisdom is also about knowing when and how to use your knowledge, being able to put situations in perspective, and how to impart that wisdom to others. To the point: this verse speaks directly to those who drink too much and do stupid things. However, the truth beneath this example reaches far and wide. The wise know their limits. They know not only where to draw the line and not cross it; they know where the line is and stay far back from it. Too often we can believe that our toes can safely touch the line and not cross it. Wisdom tells us that not only does the line have a tendency to move before we realize it but often the only way to truly know when we have come to our limit is to fall off the edge of a cliff and realize the limit was one step before. It is dangerous and unwise to flirt with sin. Intelligence may convince us that we are smart enough to know our limits. Wisdom tells us to flee the very presence of temptation. Today, regardless of how intelligent you may be, live wisely. #BeTheEdge
