"If you will seek [wisdom] as you do money, and search for it as for a hidden treasure" (Proverbs 2:4)

We may indeed value wisdom and desire it, but we would like it to enter our minds by some type of osmosis. This will not occur, says Solomon. Acquisition of wisdom requires effort, considerable effort.

What does one do in pursuit of money? Virtually anything. Get up in the early morning hours to catch a plane, rush through the day, perhaps skip meals, function under constant pressure, and deprive one's spouse and children of companionship, for what reason? Why, to make more money!

Do we put forth the same effort to acquire wisdom? Hardly.

If you had reason to believe that a huge treasure is buried in this place, how much would you be willing to dig for it? And if you were fortunate enough to find it, would you be satisfied with just taking a bit of it, or would you exhaust yourself to get it all, coming back again and again for more?

If your pursuit of wisdom is any less diligent than that of money or treasure, you are unlikely to garner it. Oh, you might consult some writings or listen to a lecture once in a while, but that is about the extent of the effort expended.

If your desire for wisdom equals your desire for wealth, you are already wise. And you will become even wiser.

Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

An excerpt from Wisdom Each Day, Shaar Press