There are a few classic examples of those who have been a Fool but sacrificed to become the Wise and it did not cost them more than they had to give.
Wisdom does not solely belong to Scholars, Priests, or just the people that adhere to the social conventions. It can be learned from the Tricksters, Oracles, Wanderers, and those that challenge what is commonly accepted as truth.
Tricksters act the role of the fool to expose the truth. They put humor to the truths that they speak but do not hide the wisdom that can be learned. A good example is Loki. A Trickster God, one who caused no end of trouble for others. Yet despite all his tricks they learned from their wasteful or shameful ways. Yet his downfall was his own cleverness, because it was not used in the same way his wisdom once was. It showed intelligence without responsibility has the ability to take usefulness to disgrace.
The Grey Wanderer who inspired Tolkien to create Gandolf, Odin often went far and wide to gain wisdom. He sacrificed himself to himself and hung on the World Tree to learn the sacred runes. His sacrifice was to destroy his former self to become something more. He gave up his eye to drink from the Well of Wisdom and gain insight by sacrificing his sight. He kept up his wandering to the most distant reaches of the cosmos to seek understanding, not just knowledge.
Now for the Jedi how does this apply to us? Loki teaches us that we must question what we know and seek ways to better understand the world around us. Yoda could be seen as a trickster to Luke when he sought him out. He played the fool and tricked young Skywalker into joining him for dinner and telling him that he would take him to the Jedi later. Luke's temper showed itself and it was then Yoda revealed himself. He demonstrated that in Luke’s haste he could not see what was right in front of him. A simple leaning into what Luke thought to be true was really his own ignorance. The lesson in this is to be aware of where you are and learn what you can from who you meet. For a teacher may suddenly appear, but to you they may be nothing more than a fool.
How does Odin’s lesson about wandering teach a Jedi? We see it in two quick scenes in “Attack of the Clones” in which Obi Wan seeks information. He first tried to use the Jedi Archives, but it had no information on the object he was looking to identify. So he goes to see his friend, the owner of a diner, out for practical life experiences. Obi Wan needed his wisdom that only real life experiences can bring. It is here that we see being able to learn, unlearn, and relearn is the true ability of any Jedi. It lies in comparing knowledge and experience to gain wisdom. For we do not seek Knowledge with no practical application. We should seek to understand what we know, it is this understanding that gives us wisdom.
The Price of Knowledge can be summed up in a single quote, one statement that we should seek to live by. It comes from Obi Wan’s friend Dex, a humble retired adventurer and miner, “I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and . . . wisdom."
So I ask you to see the fool as a potential teacher, for they see more than you can understand. Seek out the ones that have traveled and learned first hand, for there is wisdom that can not be shared unless you seek it.
Now I urge you to go forth and seek the Fool and the Traveler, for they have sacrificed much to gain their wisdom.
May the Force be with you All.
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