How is Joe Gargery in Great Expecations wise?

It is one of
the ironies in Great Expectations that Pip, who has perceived the
upperclass as superior, realizes that the most wholesome and honest and loving people in
his life have been, with the exception of Herbert Pocket) those of the lower class : Joe
Gargery, Biddy, and Magwitch.  For their love for Pip is
genuine

Although remaining
childlike in his love for Pip, as perhaps a big brother, Joe is wise enough in his
defense of Pip against the wrath of Mrs. Joe to realize that the more he intervenes, the
worse Mrs. Joe's treatment of Pip is.  So he does not try to save Pip from his sister
any more.  In Chapter LVII, Joe explains to the adult
Pip,

 ...if I
put myself in opposition to her, but that she dropped into you always heavier for it. I
noticed that. It ain't a grab at a man's whisker, not yet a shake or two of a man (to
which your sister was quite welcome), that 'ud put a man off from getting a little child
out of punishment. But when that little child is dropped into, heavier, for that grab of
whisker or shaking, then that man naterally up and says to himself, ‘Where is the good
as you are a doing?

When Pip
confesses to his fabrications about the visit at Miss Havisham's, Joe wisely scolds him
for lying, but also encourages the boy,

readability="10">

"Don't you tell me no more of 'em, Pip.  That
ain't the way to get out of being common, old chap.  And as to being common, I don't
make it out at all clear.  You are uncommon in some things.....Likewise you're an
oncommon scholar."

Then,
after Mr. Jaggers arrives at the Jolly Bargemen and informs Pip that he has "great
expectations," he asks Joe if he would not object to canceling Pip's indentures.  With
love, Joe says that he would not stand in Pip's way.  As heartbroken as he is to know
that Pip will be taken from him, Joe wisely lets Pip leave and follow his dream of
becoming a gentleman.

On the occasion of Joe's visit in
London at Pip's lodging, there is much embarrassment by the gentleman Pip at the
behavior of the awkward Joe who has dressed in a suit.  After several blunders, Joe, who
addresses Pip as "sir" because of the "stupendous power of money" in their society
wisely decides to leave.  Before departing, he tells Pip that he belongs on the forge
and should not have come to London, hurrying off.  Afterwards, ashamed of his snobbish
behavior, Pip tries to call him back cannot find Joe.

While
Pip lives in London, althou he takes the stage to the marshes, but often neglects
visiting Joe.  Yet, Joe does not chastise him, even welcoming him whenever Pip does
come. For instance, at the funeral of Mrs. Joe, there are no recriminations directed at
Pip.

Then, when Pip's hands are badly burned after he
rescues Miss Havisham from the fire, it is the ever-faithful and fatherly Joe who nurses
Pip back to health. But, after noticing that Pip is returning to health, Joe quietly
steals away, leaving a letter for Pip.

readability="8">

 Not wishful to intrude I have departured fur you
are well again dear Pip and will do better without
“Jo.

“P.S. Ever the best of
friends.”

Finally, when the
prodigal son returns to the forge to beg forgiveness for his selfishness,Pip asks Joe
not to tell his and Biddy's son Pip of how ungenerous he has been, Joe replies, "I ain't
a-going...God knows as I forgive you, if I have anythink to
forgive!"

Like the loving, unselfish couple of O. Henry's
"The Gift of the Magi," Joe, too, is among the "wisest of them
all."