Daily Graduation

Have you ever heard the saying “what doesn't kill us makes us stronger”?

Songs, movies and other aspects of popular culture has repeated this phrase.

The phrase is 'originally' attributed to Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher who contributed his opinions and logic to the understanding of the human experience.

In terms of philosophy, it has been my experience that there isn't anything 'original' which men can add to the observation of nature and the living of life, nor from the reading of what others have already concluded.

What seems like a new idea or new way of thought may simply be a rewording of what has already been spoken somewhere.

Sometimes the source is hidden by reason or by purpose.

Information is like soil.

Knowledge is like seed.

Understanding is like a growing plant, reaching to become a tree.

Wisdom is like a ripe and fruitful tree, providing shade to passersby and refreshing those weary from their journey.

Peace is the gift produced from a mature tree, forever established in an eternal forest.

Information is found out in the open, as the world is full of many fields.

Knowledge is trumpeted by many, claiming their field to be fertile.

Understanding is found among very few, who have plowed their field and realized a harvest of truth.

Wisdom is allotted, as a gift is granted and given, not attained according to human effort, just as a harvest comes from the Lord, for who can decide to make rain fall and to force a seed to sprout and grow?

Where could Mr. Nietzsche have derived his coined and popular phrase?

Was Nietzsche a plagiarizer or borrower of things he both dismissed and still admired?

Or did Nietzsche add to what he read, and although questioned things which are understood only by the gift of faith, perhaps put into his words what is quite evident to a pondering heart?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 

- 1 Corinthians 10: 13

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 

- James 1: 2-8