Intellectually, we experience an almost irresistible impulse of venturing on a path supposedly of the absolute knowledge. Usually, we can only observe events or situations that we experience. Such a reality does not bring us satisfaction, since it is not according to our aspirations. However, even if, at the level of immediate evidence, we consider ourselves entitled to crave for a better self-knowledge, we can not but ask ourselves if our curiosity is really realistic. Might this orientation towards the future, the form that hides the desire to surpass ourselves, be a new quality of knowledge? The poet understood the temptation of knowledge as madness, finding no solution, no healthy opening to that seductive beyond. The philosopher recognizes the indissoluble link between human existence and the temporality in which he lives, the future being, in the relationship between man and time, the chance that makes this surpassing possible. It`s true, we do not know the future. Probably such knowledge would be indeed crazy. But we know where we want to go, we know that we are called to salvation, to forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Through prayer and good deeds, God helps us know what is beneficial. The will to define ourselves through knowledge not only remain legitimate, but it becomes absolutely necessary, especially for those who want to live a deeper spiritual life. Knowledge is defined, materialized and fulfilled through time. Received inheritance becomes experience, a new form of wisdom, where we distinguish right from wrong. Holy Tradition is the culmination of the knowledge - time relationship, being knowledge in time. Divine Revelation is the drop of wisdom that we must not lose.

Keywords: knowledge, time, surpassing ourselves, future, Holy Tradition, salvation

DUMITRU HORIA IONESCU