[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Exactly so. I'm agreeing with you, but refining a difference between knowledge, the accumulation of finite information (therefore it can measured with a PhD), and wisdom, the insight and understanding of fundamental human principles and ethics that necessarily underlie kindness. This can be observed, but no, not measured.

Kindness I think is the act. Wisdom is understanding the reasons for it, (and the understanding that is developed from it and extends kindness).

Here's an example. I stopped myself from tailgating slow drivers. Out of kindness, I try not to be irritated with people in the left lane, driving 10 mph.

But what's the thinking behind this, the motive? Well, in one case my thinking might be compassion: "gee, that old lady is probably driving in the left lane because she's scared of all the incoming traffic on the right, and can't handle people passing on both sides in the middle lane. Wow! that must be scary for her, poor thing."

Or it might be equalizing myself with others: "You know, some day my peripheral vision will deteriorate too - and I already can barely see over the steering wheel!"
Or "Shoot, I've put on make up in the rearview mirror myself many times. I bet that woman in the suit is running late for work."

The principles of compassion, of equality, not putting yourself above others, are what I call wisdom. The thinking that supports kindess. I believe this is developed more and more as you practice it.

Saruman is an example of dry knowledge without wisdom (see, I can stay on topic too, although I think philosophical discussions are perfectly in line with the LOTR). Gandalf is an example of wisdom.

Always a pleasure, Lush. I expected you to come forward with some fine depth, based on your pithy observations in the past. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]