Topic 16: On Looking Wise

Carol:

The “Harmonious Human Multitude”

I have struggled with today’s topic for almost 24 hours, and it still puzzles me. On sounding wise, being wise, but looking wise? Professor Dumbledore? Merlin?

Anybody with glasses and a beard? The only time I ever concerned myself with trying to look wise was when I started teaching college and wanted to achieve a sense of authority in the classroom (at the time I was using a diaper bag as a briefcase). Most often such attempts at establishing a professional persona merely succeeded in making me look old, not wise.

What I really want to think about this morning is Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). He does kind of look wise in paintings although he doesn’t wear a beard. Carl Van Doren, Pullitzer-prize winning biographer and historian of the American Revolution, described Ben Franklin as the “harmonious human multitude.” That descriptor sounds poetic when you say it out loud, and it even looks wise, but what the heck does it mean?

The author of Poor Richard’s Almanac valued clear, economical communication that reflects “Franklin’s lifelong quest for words which most efficiently communicate what he had to say” (Leary 71). After all, he was a printer and a writer before he was an inventor and a statesman. We learn in school about Poor Richard’s aphorisms and the lengthy list of Franklin’s inventions and accomplishments: discovery of electricity, bifocals, the Franklin stove, lightning rod, even swim fins. Fewer people have read his autobiography, which wasn’t actually published until 1868.

Franklin’s Autobiography is written in the same straightforward style as his other writings although it sounds very formal by 21st century standards. According to Professor Lewis Leary, he wrote it primarily for his grandson with the intention that most grandparents want for the younger generation, that they benefit from the wisdom gained from both their elders’ accomplishments and mistakes. In the book, Franklin describes in detail his reading habits as a child when “all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books” (71). Apprenticed to his older brother who was a printer, he later began to borrow better books from his friends apprenticed to book sellers, so that “Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night… to be able to return them in the morning" (72).

What I appreciate about Ben Franklin is that his wisdom seems to have been in being able to be both a thinker and a doer. He must have sat around thinking before he ever took that kite out into a lightning storm, but if he had been afraid of getting wet, nothing would have come of that pondering. When I finally looked up Carl Van Doren’s phrase and read the lengthy description of what it mean, I understood the appropriateness of it. “The multitudinous” part refers to the long list of accomplishments of a doer; the “harmonious” part refers to a certain simplicity and integrity of thought in Franklin’s wisdom. But, let Mr. Franklin speak to himself about his philosophy of life:

“Well done is better than well said.”

Sources: The Electric Ben Franklin

American Literary Essays edited by Lewis Leavy


Megan:

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and say the opposite.

- Sam Levenson

Today’s topic is not about wisdom, but rather the appearance of it. Creating the illusion of wisdom is more important than acquiring it. I had a teacher once who told our class that we should smile even if we are unhappy, because people will think we are happy and will treat us as if we are happy and then we will be happy.

Yeah, that always seemed like crap logic to me too, but … how much satisfaction can one get from actually being wise? But looking wise can open all sorts of doors.

Looking wise is quite simple. First, get a pair of glasses. If you don’t actually need glasses you can just go to Claire’s Accessories and get a pair of stylish frames with no prescription. (Sidenote: I do not wear glasses because I wear cardigans. My eyes are probably fine, and I am always cold. If I wore glasses too, I would look too much like a librarian cliché. I feel that would be unwise.)

Second, you need to develop a mental library of quotations on a variety of subjects. Marlene Dietrich said:

“I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with more authority by someone recognizably wiser than oneself.”
Notice that she said “recognizably wiser” – once again the celebrity and appearance of wisdom prevail over actual wisdom. Using quotations makes you look wiser than you are, when actually you are just using your memory.

Third, you need to cultivate a slightly distracted personality. Miles Kingston, a columnist for the UK’s Independent, wrote on this same topic. His advice is to “keep still and say nothing at all.” Also, you should have epiphanies often, but don’t share them. Follow Dr. Gregory House’s example, trail off mid-sentence, say something vague like, “Of course!” or “Shit! I forgot to carry the 2!” and then dart off with no explanation.

You must tread carefully. Any appearance of wisdom so carefully cultivated can be undone in a second with bad advice, an inappropriate joke (example: my Dad), or if someone should see you without your glasses. But if you follow this advice, in no time you will start to look wise. You will discover that people respect you, they’ll recommend you to others and they’ll seek your advice. They’ll say nice things about you, they’ll say you’re an old soul or that you are smart or insightful or… wise.