I am speaking here of Wisdom by mode of knowledge, Metaphysics and Theology. The Schoolmen distinguish a higher wisdom, wisdom by mode of inclination or of connaturality with divine things. This wisdom, which is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, does not stop with knowledge, but it knows in loving and in order to love. “The contemplation of the philosophers is for the perfection of the one who contemplates and consequently comes to a halt in the intellect: so that their end in this is the intellect’s knowledge. But the contemplation of the saints is for the love of the one who is contemplated, namely, God: wherefore it does not stop in the intellect’s knowledge as an ultimate end, but passes into the heart by love.” Albert the Great (Jean de Castel), De adhaerendo Deo, cap. IX (Lugdunensi, 1651, T. XXI).
loving contemplation
Etymologies 