One benefit of pursuing wisdom is that you don't always have to learn from experience. You can save time by avoiding poor choices when you follow its sage advice. However, experience is still a great teacher. Experiencing mistakes can be a strong motivator to turn toward wise living. The sting and consequences of past mistakes can be the foundation you always needed to fully commit to a life that matters. 

Gaining wisdom, like learning, isn't just about scratching your chin and mulling over cryptic philosophies. It's about living. And you have to step out and live wisdom, placing yourself in the trenches of hard choices between right and wrong, to truly become wiser. 

What you learn from wisdom might help you to avoid suffering the consequences of foolish living. But as long as you recognize the opportunity to learn from experience, wisdom will win either way.