"Wisdom is like fire; people take it from others" is a Hemba proverb from the Democratic Republic of Congo that emphasizes the communal and shared nature of wisdom. It suggests that wisdom, like fire, is passed from one person to another. Just as fire spreads warmth, knowledge is shared and spreads from one person to the next, helping individuals and communities grow. No one is born wise; we all gain wisdom through the experiences and teachings of others.
For example, Fartun is someone who values the advice and insights from her elders. She often seeks guidance from her mother and grandmother, knowing they’ve encountered many of the challenges she now faces. When Fartun was navigating difficulties in her marriage, she turned to them for advice.
They shared stories from their own lives, showing her how they had overcome similar obstacles with patience, compromise, and communication. Fartun was able to apply this wisdom to her own relationship, using their knowledge to strengthen her bond with her spouse. In this way, she took their wisdom, like fire, and used it to bring warmth and clarity into her own life.
In her relationships with family or in her love life, Fartun can implement this proverb by recognizing that wisdom is something she can both seek and share. By being open to the experiences of others, especially those she trusts, she can avoid mistakes and gain insights that will help her navigate her own path. At the same time, she can pass along the lessons she has learned to younger family members or friends, ensuring that this shared wisdom continues to benefit others.
The lesson from this proverb is that wisdom is not an isolated trait but something we gain through collective experience. By seeking and sharing knowledge with others, we ensure that wisdom flows from one generation to the next, enriching everyone. This encourages humility, openness, and the understanding that we all rely on each other to grow wiser.
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