“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
This quote by Mahatma Gandhi is a reminder to all of us of the importance of humility. For no matter how much knowledge we have, how much education we’ve had, and how many life experiences we’ve had, no human being is exempt from being wrong at times. One aspect of humility is recognizing the fact that being wrong and making mistakes from time to time help us to learn, and by means of that learning, to gain in wisdom.
Gandhi’s words also cause me to think about being thankful for the wisdom the Creator has given us. Wisdom helps us to live our lives more fully and with integrity, to keep things in perspective, and to help others.
It’s concerning that there are leaders of countries and members of governing bodies who believe that they are always right, and especially concerning when policies they enact cause harm to people. They won’t consider investigating alternatives because they don’t think other people’s ideas and suggestions matter. This certainly is not wisdom; it’s egocentricity. This wrong approach also applies to anyone whose decisions adversely affect others, including employers, school administrators, and other men and women who hold leadership roles.
Accepting and then keeping in mind Gandhi’s words that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err will help us to be humble and to be open to considering the ideas of others. And, most importantly, we should all endeavor to listen to our inner wisdom, to try to discern its guidance for us as we travel our earthly journeys.