Knowledge is Seeing: The Etymology of Wisdom

The term 'wisdom' has deep-rooted etymological connections tracing back to the German word 'wissen,' meaning knowledge, which derives from the Germanic root 'Wieton' that translates to awareness. This, in turn, can be traced back to a proto-Indo-European root 'Wade,' meaning to see, linking the concepts of knowledge and perception. Thus, the essence of being wise is not merely knowing facts but being aware, suggesting that true wisdom involves a deeper understanding and clarity of insight.