For years I've quoted, mis-quoted and paraphrased a quotation that beautifully makes a point about wisdom.
It was one of those inspired quotes you hear or read once, and remember the idea forever...but can never quite find again.
I was sure I'd read it in C. S. Lewis, and watched for it every time I was re-reading something of his. I searched the internet for it among his writings, unsuccessfully.
I found the quotation yesterday: not exactly as I'd remembered it, which was probably part of my problem in trying to find it. A problem also that I'd looked the wrong place, since the version I found was attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.:
"I
would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would
give my right arm for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.
"Attributed" to Holmes; since that formulation hadn't been found in his writings either. Who actually authored that quote, or something like it, seems unknown.
But it's the idea I remember, and find so striking: that understanding is not merely "either/or," "simple" or "complex."
I've read far too many experts (usually academics) who are quite unable to convey any cogent understanding of their field to interested, intelligent laypeople. For some reason, these experts are often chosen to write the textbooks.
Inability to convey understanding indeed seems the point in many experts' writings. That having mastered its full knowledge, I know such light-years more the detailed complexity of things than any lesser mortal can ever possibly comprehend. Inability to convey understanding is often the self-validating (as John Dryden called it) "priestcraft" of the learned expert.
That's possibly why I was certain the "lost" quotation was by C. S. Lewis. I esteem him as one of those rare souls whose mastery of knowledge (in his academic field, and in Christian apologetics) gave him the simplicity "the other side of complexity." Gave him understanding so thorough that it could be stated simply, in words accessible to all.
In that, Lewis follows Jesus. My mentor in the faith, Derek Prince, once pointed out the striking fact that Jesus' recorded teachings use very few words of more than one syllable. The One Whose knowledge comprehended all things, conveyed His wisdom in homely sayings about fish and seeds, coins, and sheep.
Simplicity cannot be esteemed for its own sake. "The simplicity this side of complexity" is mere ignorance of reality. Sometimes willful ignorance, such as that of politicians who campaign by (and just possibly, believe) mindless slogans...and afterwards complain that "nobody knew health-care could be so complicated."
"The simplicity on the other side of complexity," from knowledge rather than ignorance, is God's gift, and wisdom. It was Jesus' gift, and His wisdom.
Praise Him !!
