I. There must be reality in our knowledge. It must be the real knowledge of real things. We must be sure that we, in the first instance, take it in as accurately as possible. We must not bridge over to ourselves difficulties, whether little or great, or take a leap over them, leaving a part behind us that is not sound or solid.
II. There is no such thing as useless knowledge, and the knowledge of theory is a greater thing than the knowledge of practice; to express it otherwise, the knowledge of principles is beyond, and greater than, and more important than, the doing of things however well without understanding them. However real may be the knowledge that you gain of any number of details, it is only by understanding principles that you can hope to make any use of details which shall advance or strengthen any single good cause.
III. The power to use knowledge must come from something outside the knowledge itself. The mind may be stored with facts, and with true theories and with many a wise observation; but after all it is only by considering, reflecting, observing, that we can turn what we have already acquired to good account for ourselves or for others. Such wisdom is "above and beyond our studies." For it is beyond all that wisdom which is from above, which the Father gives to them that ask Him.
Archbishop Benson, Boy Life: Sundays in Wellington College,p. 19.
I. The world gives the name of wisdom to many higher and lower manifestations of intellectual foresight and practical sense, but Scripture sees in it nothing save one single law of life: "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
II. Some one may say, Is any knowledge worth the attainment, save the one knowledge which is wisdom? The answer is, To the true Christian every school will be a school of Christ. On the ample leaf of knowledge, whether it be rich with the secrets of nature or with the spoils of time, we will read no name save the name of God. To seek for knowledge where it is possible is the clear duty of man; to win it is the gift of God. Knowledge apart from wisdom is like a vestibule dissevered from its temple, but it may on the other hand be the worthy vestibule of that sacred shrine. Knowledge is a vain thing only when it is sought out of unworthy motives and applied to selfish ends; but it becomes noble and glorious when it is desired solely for man's benefit and consecrated wholly to God's praise.
F. W. Farrar, The Silence and Voice of God,p. 119.
References: Proverbs 4:7. J. H. Evans, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 49; J. R. Lumby, Expositor,2nd series, vol. iii., p. 222.Proverbs 4:8. C. C. Bartholomew, Sermons Chiefly Practical,p. 169; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 248. Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 4:11. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven,1st series, p. 161.