Light of Wisdom

"From wisdom the recognition of beauty is born; for whatever is wise is good, and whatever is good is spiritually beautiful. The possession of wisdom clarifies the soul, and through the soul it beautifies the body, because the body is the ultimate expression of the qualities of the soul. Wisdom manifests itself only to those who love wisdom, and the love of wisdom is realized by following its dictates. The power to obey the dictates of wisdom originates in true faith in the power of wisdom to manifest itself, and this faith again springs from a real love for the manifestations of real wisdom, which becomes active by works. True faith is always accompanied by true deeds, whether internal or external; but faith without true, unselfish love is an illusion—a dead tree bearing no fruit. Not even the highest human intellect can create a particle of divine wisdom, any more than a piece of iron can make itself red hot, or become so without an effective cause; but as the metal may be rendered hot means of exposure to heat, likewise a clear mind will be illumined by the light of wisdom when the truth becomes manifest in the heart."
~ Franz Hartmann

Hesiod And The Muse
Gustave Moreau, 1857