Photo by Regan Vercruysse

By Sharon Lee Song

When I learned that this month’s theme was Wit (one of Aristotle’s 12 virtues), my first thought was, “Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure.” If you’re a Harry Potter nerd like I am, you’ll immediately recognize that these words are from one of the co-founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Rowena Ravenclaw. The other thought that came to mind is the word “sharp-witted.” When I’ve consider someone to be sharp-witted, it is usually because I have often felt that their words were cutting. I realize after looking into the definition of the virtue of wit that it is a word that I have misused and misunderstood.

According to Aristotle, the virtue is required for a good conversation. Someone who possesses the virtue of wit will hold engaging conversation. I also like the example of how to use the sharp-witted in a sentence in one of the dictionaries I used: “She’s a sharp-witted interviewer with a knack for extracting embarrassing quotes.” I have seen reporters do exactly this in interviews, or lawyers on TV shows when they are cross-examining someone, and it is an impressive sight to behold. Particularly if the reporter or lawyer opposes the interviewee’s cause or stance, they are able to question and cause the interviewee to stumble, as the reporter or laywer works to reveal the interviewee’s deficiency. Watching an interviewee fidget in the midst of this assault of the reporter/lawyer’s excessive wit makes my insides crawl, and I feel compassion witnessing this poor soul endure through it.

Personally, I am growing in cultivating the virtue of wit. I have felt frustrated in the past when I have been slow to respond, usually when someone has said something that catches me off guard. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked back on conversations after the fact, rehearsing what I should have said to that other person as a come-back. Self-doubt and second guessing have contributed to not being able to speak up promptly, which comes from a lifetime of not being nurtured in knowing what I really want, or who I really am. This is a common narrative for many women, especially women of color. Thankfully, this has transformed from the empowerment and nurturing from the Spirit to know more of who I am, where I come from and where I am going, and of course, this is an ongoing process of growth.

As always, I look to Jesus and how He exemplifies the virtue of wit. Jesus always held engaging conversations; crowds of people sought him out in the thousands to hear His words. The people who opposed Him were still enthralled by what He was saying, otherwise His words wouldn’t have riled them up so much (Pharisees). He knew exactly what to say to get to the heart of matters. People were captivated by Him and His words. I would even say that he was sharp-witted because he could extract truth and expose fault and deficiency better than any reporter or lawyer in the world.

How did Jesus do this? Looking at Jesus in the Scriptures, I find it remarkable that He knew exactly who He was, where He was from, and where He was going. He was simply being Himself and through that confidence and empowerment, words flowed out of His mouth that were so engaging that they completely changed lives.

Through that deep knowledge, confidence, and empowerment, Jesus was very present in every situation, and responded and maneuvered conversations perfectly, and asked all of the right questions; Jesus was quick-witted in that way. It makes me wonder how different it would be for all of us, if we had this same deep knowledge, confidence, and empowerment from God, and from that, were present to ourselves and others. What impact would that have on the lives around us if our words came from this place?

As I grow, I notice the ways that using my words has changed. I speak up more quickly in the moment, but also thoughtfully, using my voice from a place of conviction and truth that has been nurtured by God. My words have an impact with the people around me from a place of being present with them and with God, and the power that comes from that kind of engaging conversation. I take this very seriously as words have so much power. My hope is that like Jesus we all grow in embodying the virtue of wit from this place of knowledge, confidence, and empowerment from the Spirit, using our words to engage people towards Him.

Sharon Lee Song lives and works in South Los Angeles an urban missions organization. Inspired by her own transformation through self-care, soul care, and spiritual formation, Sharon became a Holy Yoga instructor, and spiritual director. She’s committed to using what she’s learned from her training to support others in living healthy, sustainable, urban spiritual lives.