Optimization: Adjusting something to reach its best state for a specific purpose. We often think that the fastest and strongest options are the best. The fastest way down a slope isn’t a straight line, but a parabola that naturally connects high and low points. A sniper can cause more lethal wounds at 400 meters than at 200 meters. Although the bullet travels faster at 200 meters, the wound size isn’t as large, and at 400 meters, the slower-moving bullet over a longer distance causes more friction as it passes through the wound, resulting in more severe injuries. In every situation, there is an optimal choice suited to the goal. Trial and error are useful for finding this optimization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Solomon’s wisdom, demonstrated when he ruled by proposing to divide a living infant with a sword in order to reveal the baby’s true mother and a false one, was notable because nothing truly happened when he suggested dividing the infant. The application of wisdom out of context in this scenario renders wisdom tragic. The difference between a wise man and an evil man can often come down to a piece of paper. Had the real mother’s reaction to Solomon’s judgment been ignored and executed immediately, history might have depicted Solomon as the most evil tyrant in the world. We would easily forget the distinction represented by that piece of paper. Wisdom is the intuition that accurately perceives the unseen context in a given situation. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”