On being Clever and Wise

I was in Singapore to attend my daughter’s convocation for a master’s degree in Law from the NUS (National University of Singapore). I was gently reminded through a small pamphlet, that was handed out to all the parents and friends, that it was not called a‘convocation’ or in fact a ‘graduation’ anymore. Somewhere in the eighties they had begun to call the event a ‘commencement’, a very American usage. I have been to Singapore several times over the last three decades and have slowly seen the City State turn its back on its old British legacies. It is subtle, but it is happening. I am not complaining. I always thought that the word ‘commencement’ was typically an American misnomer. Why did the Americans have to drive on the right side of the road? Why did the Americans have to do the opposite to switch on a light? Why did they have to spell colour without an ‘u’? Even as I write I am dismayed to see my word processor inviting a red mark under my ‘colour’ -the spelling I have grown so used to. Here I was attending my daughter’s ‘commencement’, when in fact she was finished and going home. There was, of course,  an explanation. The pamphlet patiently explained that the word ‘convoke’ or ‘gather’ was no longer acceptable. The word ‘Commencement’ actually means the beginning of a new life as a professional. So it would have to be Commencement. A few people may call it a disingenuous argument but I think even the British may have to see some sense in the explanation. Singapore, in the meanwhile, still drives (rather carefully by Indian standards) on the left side of the road!

 In addition to hearing an explanation for the use of the word ‘commencement’, I heard a very inspirational speech by Dr Chesterman, the Dean of the Law Faculty. I would like to share the essence of the Dean’s Commencement message which was so ‘profoundly simple’- to use an oxymoron.  His commencement address was on the difference between being wise and clever. We all know that education makes us clever because of the things we learn at University. He explained why all clever people are not necessarily wise. This was the message which he lucidly explained through a story which I am going to repeat in my own words. There was this wise old woman who was blind. Her wisdom, despite her disability, was legendary.  One day a few college graduates (who were naturally clever), decided to test the old woman’s intelligence. They came over to her with a bird cupped within the palms of both hands. They explained to her that there was a bird inside the enclosed palms and wanted the woman to predict if it was alive or dead. She did not answer. They asked her again and she was silent. The clever students then taunted her and wanted an answer, if indeed she was so wise. The old woman knew that if she said the bird was dead they would let it fly with a flutter and prove her wrong. If she said the bird was alive, they would crush it between their palms and lay the dead bird in her lap. She said  “I do not know if it is dead or alive, but I can certainly say it is in your hands”. That was a profound answer. It is so true of our young and learned people. They know so much. The world and the future are in their hands. But it may require the wisdom of a teacher or mentor  to actually tell them that they hold such powers by virtue of their education. The future of the ‘wise’ are indeed in their own hands. They need wisdom to make things happen. The inference to the story is mine and I am not sure if that is what Dr Chesterman had in mind. But it was a good story. I hope my daughter learnt from it just as I did!

George Paul, July 2012