16. The sixth column of the house of wisdom is maturity in judgment: and this is indicated when it says: not judging. Maturity is in judgment when a man does not judge rashly. Whence in Ecclesiasticus: A wise judge shall judge his people, namely, over whom he has authority. But if he exceeds his authority, he is not a wise judge, but his judgment is rash. If he judges without authority, what is it? Certainly nothing. It is also necessary that the judgment of a wise man have rectitude of zeal and clarity of knowledge. Concerning the first : The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment. A just judge is one who is moved by just zeal, approves all good things and condemns evil things: but he who does not have right zeal cannot judge well. Love and hatred pervert judgment. If you hate me, you cannot judge me rightly: and why? Because it seems to you that all things that are in me are evil.
Likewise, it is necessary that a judge have clarity of knowledge. How would I judge well concerning an unknown matter? Hence when the friends of Job argued against him that he was not just, saying: A just God does not punish the just, and yet He punishes you, therefore you are not just—they wished to judge concerning hidden things. Job, hearing these things, responded to them saying: Turn back and come, and I shall not find among you any wise man. Therefore blessed James says: not judging, not that a man ought not to judge in the proper place and time concerning a matter about which he has certainty and authority and right zeal, but because men judge evil to be good, and conversely good to be evil. It is better, if I must judge concerning another, that I think well rather than ill. A man ought to be more inclined to mercifully excusing than to judging ill. All now are judges of iniquitous thoughts . Therefore a man ought not to exceed his authority nor rashly judge without rectitude of zeal and clarity of knowledge. Matthew: Judge not, that you be not judged. That men judge the hidden faults of others and neglect themselves is the height of foolishness. Gregory: "The mind, the more curious it is to investigate the affairs of others, the more foolish it is in knowing its own."
17. The seventh and last column of wisdom is simplicity in intention, which is noted when he says: without dissimulation. Concerning this it is said that King Solomon made a great throne of ivory, and he made in it six steps. The other columns are round about, but this one is the most principal and at the summit. Concerning this the Apostle speaks saying: Seek the things that are above; and in Ecclesiastes: What has the wise man more than the fool, and what has the poor man, except to go thither where life is? Surely, where Christ is, and when Christ shall appear, life shall appear.
But where is Christ? Certainly, above in heaven; the Apostle says: Seek the things that are above. Therefore Christ and life are in heaven. Christ is the fountain of wisdom; He Himself is the foundation and completion of this gift. The Apostle, as a wise architect, says: No one can lay another foundation besides that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus. As a certain Gloss says, man is related to a tree in the opposite manner with respect to the root: for a tree has its root below, but man above; and a spiritual building has its foundation above, but a corporeal one below. Christ therefore is the foundation of this gift. He is also its completion, because in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge . In Him the house of wisdom is brought to perfection. Whence it is said in Ecclesiastes: The eyes of the wise man are in his head, that is, in Christ: the fool walks in darkness. In Christ is the consummation of every good. Whence in John: And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Those things which are above, we ought to desire, to see, and to do; and may He who lives and reigns without end lead us to them. Amen.
HERE END THE COLLATIONS ON THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OF THE SERAPHIC DOCTOR
SAINT BONAVENTURE