It seems to me that America is engorged with knowledge while simultaneously being starved for wisdom.

My 77 year old, Alzheimer’s-ridden,  father-in-law died this morning. His last month included two hospitalizations and myriad medical tests and procedures mostly designed to diagnose potential maladies that the family would not have elected to treat, even if we’d been able to isolate the pathology. In fact, it’s highly likely (but not necessarily bad) that his death was hastened by medicine’s attempt to diagnose him rather than let him be.

Mulling this experience over in my mind, I’ve concluded that we have way too much knowledge. We know how to isolate, test, program and formulate. But we don’t necessarily know how to make a good decision with the information we have.

Wisdom can’t be systematized. The knowledge system may call for running this test, making this differential diagnosis, then proceeding with a certain course of treatment followed by more tests. It’s all science. But wisdom is art. It’s knowing when to say “that’s enough.” It’s looking at life from the end view—beginning with the end in mind, as Covey has said. It’s looking at life from a view beyond this world and saying—there is a time for everything under the sun: a time to live, and a time to die.

There will always be people seeking to gain more knowledge. May you and I be counted among those who seek wisdom, so we can help them know what to do with it.

When I was growing up, I was always admonished to “use good judgment.” But it seems like judgment has fallen on hard times. More and more I’m hearing people speak of “not being judgmental.” It sounds good at first, but if you think it through it doesn’t ring true. Growing in knowledge and wisdom should result in the development of one’s judgment, and once developed it ought to be used.

In recent decades our culture has grown soft. I wonder if avoiding judgment isn’t just a way to sidestep uncomfortable truth. It’s become fashionable to “suspend judgment,” especially if using your judgment might be deemed to hurt the feelings of another. And, in the softening culture, anytime we express our disagreement its seen as an opportunity to exhibit hurt feelings. Maybe we should toughen-up a bit.

I advocate “hardening” of our feelings—-not to the point of insensitive oblivion, but to the point that we can navigate through daily life without our emotions being hurt by the littlest slight. Get the chip off your shoulder. Life is tough. People say things. Not everybody agrees with you. But that’s doesn’t necessarily mean you should change your opinion. Maybe you are right and should stand on your conviction. However, if unchecked the  softening culture will tempt you to give in so you don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. That’s weak-mindedness. Don’t let it overtake you.

You can be judgmental without being ugly. In fact, you can be overtly gracious and kind, and still be judgmental. But even then, you’ll offend because weak people don’t like truth accompanied by strength. Don’t let that dissuade you. There is life in truth.

Think deeply. Train yourself to think soundly. Develop your judgment. Then don’t be afraid to use it! The world needs your sound-minded judgment.