Wisdom and Divine Providence

"...having been established." Wisdom comes in much time, and science in much life. These things are most educational, for they say, so that they might not think the knowledge of things is easy and accessible because it was said, "the mind indeed distinguishes words," and they might reason that this is easy for them since they have a mind, leading them away from the care of wisdom, by saying: "Wisdom in much time, and science in much life." From this, those unwilling to toil, but thinking that the occasional imposition of some science is enough for them, are to be rebuked. For the knowledge of perfect things does not occur at the same time as one begins.

Furthermore, those who think that learnings are by nature are rebuked by this; for nothing that belongs to human essence by nature and necessity is perfected by time. No mortal, as a living being, adds to himself by time; but the wise man is attained by time. "For when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child; when I have become a man, I laid aside the things of a child" (1 Cor 13:11). To this, someone might oppose the "not those of many years are wise, nor the elders know judgment" (Job 4:7), contrary to what was said by Job to those who think otherwise. Yet both can be understood as following one another; for the blessed Job says that he who begins wisdom and hastens to take it up will not take it up as it happens, but will take it up in much time. But neither would Elihu say contrary to this; for if someone did not desire wisdom, but had progressed in age, he would already be wise; for the old man is not wise by necessity.

You will understand what is said by the singer, if it contributes to the taking up of wisdom in much time, in saying: "Know, Lord, my end and the number of my days, who it is, so that I may know what I fall short of" (Ps 39:4). For virtue is shown to be taken up not by nature, but being perfected by time, in the "so that I may know what I fall short of." And what is wisdom, in the following...

It has been said: "Behold, piety is wisdom, and to abstain from evils is knowledge." And first it is necessary to establish the abstention from evils, so that in this way piety may become wisdom being. For it has been said: "Having desired wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will supply it to you" (Ps 111:10); for wisdom comes to being after the soul has been purified.

With Him are wisdom and power, with Him counsel and understanding. Having said "wisdom in much time," in order that you do not think him to be speaking about human wisdom, he teaches not to seek it among created things, but how it is found, saying: "With Him are wisdom and power." For it is not from without Him, but in Him it is, being of the same essence as Him; for the source of it exists, and the source does not receive from elsewhere. And the power is with Him, which is Christ; "for Christ is the power and wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:24). And with Him also are counsel and understanding, so that these things are not sought by human impositions, but from Him. And all these things the Son is; for "he prepared the heavens in wisdom" (Job 38:4) is said concerning the Son. If he casts down, who will build up? If he shuts according to men, who will open? If he withholds the water, he dries the earth; but if he touches, he has destroyed it by turning it away.

The word concerning providence, as also previously was said, he teaches by silence to those contradicting him. For even if they were setting forth providence, they were falling into oppositions. He says therefore: "Who has withstood his counsel?" (Job 42:3); for indeed one finds the one suffering, the one in distress, the one weighed down by disease, and others being seized in various accidents and not being able to stand, being cast away. For they happen according to the will of God. Not only concerning building, but also concerning the aforementioned, there is no one who will be able to say according to the apostle: "Why did you make me thus?" (Rom 9:20); but also those who dare something apart from the will of God, since they did not call upon Him, are turned away.