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Is it sinful to pray for knowledge and wisdom and to aspire to be a saint living a virtuous life full of gifts of the Holy Spirit?

No, it is not wrong to pray for wisdom, the Lord commended King Solomon because he prayed for wisdom. However, becoming a saint or aspiring to be full of virtues should not be a goal in itself. The main goal is mainly  to be with God always. In order to achieve this goal, we need to live a godly life.

As for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, St. Paul encouraged us to seek, rather, the fruit of the Holy Spirit "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" After that he spoke about the excellence of love, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:27-31).