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The Gift of Wisdom Introduction
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McHugh–Callan, Moral Theology
Vol. I, Pt. II, Q. I, Art. 9. The Sins Against B…, The Gift of Wisdom Introduction
(Summa Theologica, II-II, qq. 45, 46.)
Wisdom is the Gift of the Holy Ghost which corresponds with and serves the virtue of charity (see 159 sqq., 808 sqq., 1041 sqq.), and hence it is discussed in this place.
The following points concerning Wisdom will be treated: (a) the Nature of the Gift of Wisdom; (b) the Persons who Possess the Gift of Wisdom; (c) the Beatitude of the Peacemakers, which pertains especially to Wisdom; (d) the Sin of Foolishness, which is opposed to Wisdom.
So far is it from being improper to give some space in Moral Theology to the Gifts of the Holy Ghost (as if they pertained only to higher mysticism), that it is even necessary to emphasize them. The Gifts are essential to salvation, and play a most important part in the daily spiritual life, whether in correcting or reinforcing the virtues, or in giving immediate direction from the Holy Spirit. Man, it is true, does not set them into action, but it is man’s part to value them, to hold himself in readiness for them, and to hearken to their whispered enlightenment and counsel. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost are the very soul of Theology and of the Christian life.
Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V
Tr. I, Disputation XIX: On the Gift of Wisdom
Although charity may make the yoke easy,1 it is not relishing without wisdom, which affects the affective and the intellective powers together, and the rest, through redundancy; and it is deservedly called a GIFT, because it is not acquired by study, but given by inspiration; wherefore St. James says cap. 1. as the Seraphic Doctor has in Diaeta, tit. 7. cap. 4. toward the end: If anyone lacks Wisdom, let him ask it of God: Therefore it is compared there to the SUN, most splendid, illuminating all things; to HONEY, most flavorsome, whose taste makes all else insipid; to the SEA finally, most profound, whose ways and paths are unsearchable; see the Seraphic Doctor. 1 Editor's note: the print opens the clause with spaced display capitals 'E V E licet' (OCR 'EVE licet'); no Latin reading is possible with 'EVE', so it is rendered 'Et licet' ('And although charity makes the yoke [easy]...'), preserving the print's display form here.