When people thought the earth was flat, they were convinced of it. So, when Columbus set out to find a western route to Asia, he was opposed and ridiculed.
People often get stuck in what they hold to be true, and they fight any other suggestion that they are wrong. But when they do this, they stay limited and cannot learn anything new or grow. It is generally the ones who are most rigid in their opinions who are actually less wise.
Fools desperately hold onto what they think is true, because they don’t have the capacity to explore new ideas and opinions. Admitting that there are more sides to the story or that they could be wrong would undermine their authority.
On the other hand, intelligent people are open to new ideas and are flexible in their thinking. They know they might be wrong.
Traits of a Wise Person
They are Flexible in Their Opinions
A wise person knows how important it is to see things from various perspectives before settling on an opinion. Whether it is an opinion about politics or a scientific concept, they are open to hearing what others think of the same thing, so that they can make an educated conclusion.
Thus, when they do form an opinion, it’s built on strong foundations and well-thought-out arguments. But, that doesn’t mean they won’t budge from their stance. They are still happy to hear new ideas and be presented with more facts.
They are Always Curious
A wise person approaches the world from a place of curiosity rather than judgment. They love to learn about everything. These are the people who see themselves as students of life.
They Ask Questions
Because wise people are open to new ideas and concepts, they are always asking questions. They want to know what you think about something. They like to be challenged. They like to learn. In addition, they aren’t afraid of hearing opposing views or thoughts. They welcome those conversations as an opportunity to learn something new or to solidify their own perspective.
They Don’t Assume They Know Everything
Fools think they know everything. That’s why you can’t convince them of anything or change their opinion. On the other hand, wise people know that they don’t know everything. They know that there is too much information and too many sides to any story to assume that they are always right. That is why a smart person listens more than he or she talks.
The world is full of people who are stubborn in their views, such as the loud spokesman for their religion or the aggressively opinionated political person. However, the people who have the most opinions and are too closed off to different thoughts or ideas are not the wisest. A wise person knows they don’t know everything. They are flexible in their thinking. They ask questions, change their opinions, and are not afraid of admitting they were wrong.
As Socrates said, “the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
