Classic Poem

That wisdom ripens not with years,
Nor grows with age, I find;
Unless celestial light appears,
Gray hairs continue blind.

Wisdom divine, by length of time,
Can never be acquir'd,
Except the soul, by truth sublime,
Be from above inspir'd.

Sound knowledge then is not a store,
Possess'd still by the great;
Nor yet doth wisdom evermore
Adorn the teacher's seat.

Though human understanding trace,
The wisdom of the schools;
Yet still the learn'd, untaught by grace,
Remain but literate fools.