Race-experience is what he invariably depends upon, whenever he can, whether in India, in Egypt, or in Australia.

His statesmen do not consult historical precedents in order to decide what to do: they first learn the facts as they are; then they depend upon their own common sense, not at all upon their university learning or upon philosophical theories.

And in the case of the English nation, it must be acknowledged that this instinctive method has been eminently successful.
When the "Havamal" speaks of wisdom it means mother-wit, and nothing else; indeed, there was no reading or writing to speak of in those times: No man can carry better baggage on his journey than wisdom.
There is no better friend than great common sense.
But the wise man should not show himself to be wise without occasion.

He should remember that the majority of men are not wise, and he should be careful not to show his superiority over them unnecessarily.

Neither should be despise men who do not happen to be as wise as himself: No man is so good but there is a flaw in him, nor so bad as to be good for nothing.
Middling wise should every man be; never overwise.