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A neuroscientist on wisdom vs. intelligence & why they both matter.

Sarah Regan

Wisdom and intelligence are both great qualities to have—but they certainly aren't mutually exclusive. Intelligence doesn't guarantee wisdom , and vice versa. In fact, while they may seem like similar traits, they're actually quite different, though it is possible to have both.

How is wisdom different from intelligence?

First things first: What do the two actually mean? By definition, wisdom (the quality of being wise) is described as "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment." To be wise is to have deep insight and understanding, and wise people may be thought of as old souls .

As neuroscientist and author of  The Source   Tara Swart, M.D., Ph.D., explains to mbg, "Wisdom is the life lessons you pick up through experience and store in your neurons but don't consciously recall."

Intelligence, on the other hand, is defined as "the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills." It's about intellect and the application of that intellect. Swart notes intelligence can be defined in several ways, including emotional intelligence , "But the traditional definition is about using your logic to solve problems and make decisions."

So the difference then is where these qualities come from and how we use them. Wisdom comes through experience, perhaps without us even realizing it, and intelligence, in all its many forms, is often something inherent (or something we consciously work on improving).

Wisdom "allows you to recognize patterns and make decisions based on intuition ," Swart says, adding that it's more of a "felt" sense that something is right or wrong. Intelligence, she explains, "is more about data and 'knowing.'"

Is one more important?

Some people may favor intelligence over wisdom, or wisdom over intelligence, depending on their values, goals, and so on. But according to Swart, both are equally important.

However, she says, "As you grow in wisdom and experience, intuition can become far more powerful than logic alone."

Ideally, you can exercise both, so you can not only approach a situation logically (intelligence) but tap into your deeper sense of wisdom or intuition to read between the lines or see the big picture.

As Swart puts it, it's great when your wisdom and intelligence are aligned, "but when logic tells you one thing and intuition tells you another, you have to learn which leads to better outcomes for you."

How to discern wisdom from intelligence.

So, when the moment strikes, how can you know whether certain thoughts are coming from a place of wisdom or a place of intelligence (both in yourself and in another)? Here are a few strategies:

Notice where it's coming from.

Swart explains that logic tends to "come from your head and is based on gathering facts and making a decision that you know the reasons behind."

Wisdom, on the other hand, "is felt usually in the gut or heart and comes with a deep sense of feeling that this is right for you, not just right in general," she says. It can often be accompanied by visceral sensations like goose bumps or even tears, she adds.

Notice how you reached the conclusion you came to; was your thought process more linear and logical? That's intelligence. Or was it more big picture, and allowed you to draw on past experiences and patterns? That's wisdom.

Write on it.

Further, if you want to get better at distinguishing between the two, Swart says journaling can help . Try reflecting on the times your intelligence may have served you better than your wisdom, and vice versa. You may find one is stronger than the other or leads to better outcomes when you follow it.

Ask others how they make decisions.

And the next time you're speaking with someone and want to know whether they're showing wisdom or intelligence, Swart says you can simply ask them directly where their reasoning is coming from and what it's based on.

You can usually get a sense from their answer, as they may say something that's clearly more logical (intelligence) versus something more big picture that's related to their own experience (wisdom).

The bottom line.

While one is no better than the other, both wisdom and intelligence are helpful qualities to have. Throughout our lives, wisdom is gained over the years, and on top of that, we're always presented with opportunities to exercise our intelligence by learning new information. The key is learning to hone both so they can work in tandem, and you can approach any situation with both logic and a deeper understanding .

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Wisdom vs Intelligence (Differences + Similarities)

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Would you rather be wise or intelligent? Most people would say, “both.” On this page, we will briefly look at wisdom vs intelligence and what some of the greatest minds have to say about being "smart."

Are Wisdom and Intelligence the Same?

Wisdom and intelligence are both considered to be positive qualities involving the brain. But these are often used interchangeably, which isn’t exactly correct. These two terms are more accurately associated with the mind, and they are just pieces in larger theories of psychology. 

What Is Wisdom?

Let’s look at how the dictionary defines wisdom. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “wisdom” as the “ability to discern inner qualities and relationships,” or “good judgment.” The Cambridge Dictionary offers a similar definition, although it clarifies that one uses knowledge or experience to make decisions and judgments. Often, these decisions and judgments have to do with “right” and “wrong.”

When I ask you to picture a person who is “wise,” who do you picture? It might be your grandparents. Or an old philosopher. Maybe it’s the owl from Winnie the Pooh. Either way, it’s probably someone older. Our culture tends to associate wisdom with age.

At what age do you “gain” wisdom? When do you have a sense of right or wrong? That last question is not always easy to answer. Earlier developmental psychologists believed that children had a sense of right and wrong before they could read. But the reasons they have given for their conclusions don’t always take context, intention, or the cognitive abilities of the child into consideration. If a child associates punishment with “wrong” behavior, have they truly developed a sense of right and wrong?

Wisdom in Psychology

For many, wisdom isn’t just about having knowledge. It’s about seeking knowledge, and using it in different ways. Aristotle believed that wisdom could be used to seek truth and explore things that were bigger than ourselves. He also believed that wisdom could be used to make good decisions in everyday life.

More current theories of wisdom focus more on the practical application of wisdom. For example, American psychologist Robert Sternberg has developed a “balance” theory of wisdom. He defines wisdom as “the use of one’s intelligence, creativity, common sense, and knowledge and as mediated by positive ethical values toward the achievement of a common good through a balance among (a) intrapersonal, (b) interpersonal, and (c) extrapersonal interests.”

Wisdom, according to Sternberg, requires more than just intelligence. And he argues that wisdom could be more important than intelligence. He says, “Although currently, our societies tend to emphasize analytical intelligence in their assessments of individuals in school, college, and beyond, one could argue that assessments of wisdom would be more valuable.  When citizens and leaders fail in the pursuit of their duties, it is more likely to be for lack of wisdom than for lack of analytical intelligence.”

What Is Intelligence?

Wisdom could be more important than intelligence . But, as Sternberg says, college admissions officers aren’t exactly looking for the wisest students. They’re looking for scores that access a student’s intelligence.

Intelligence is more likely to be tested than wisdom. It certainly appears to be easier to test than wisdom. But as you’ll see, intelligence tests may not be what they’re cracked up to be.

Before we dive into intelligence, let’s talk about the definition of this term.

Merriam-Webster defines intelligence as “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations.” Cambridge says it’s “the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason.” Whereas wisdom is based on right and wrong, intelligence deals more with practical facts.

Intelligence in Psychology

Robert Sternberg also has a theory of intelligence, known as the “Triarchic Theory of Intelligence.” He also agrees that intelligence deals more with practical decisions in everyday life. His theory suggests that “successful intelligence is made up of three types of intelligence:

  • Analytical intelligence (the ability to solve problems)
  • Creative intelligence (the ability to use experience and skills to adapt to new environments)
  • Practical intelligence (the ability to adapt to changing environments)

theory of multiple intelligences

Sternberg is not the first psychologist to propose that there are multiple types of intelligence. Some might say that his theory is a response to Howard Gardener’s theory on the nine types of intelligence. These types include verbal-linguistic intelligence, musical intelligence, and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

Measuring Intelligence in Psychology

These theories of multiple intelligences are relatively new. One could argue that they are a response to the way that intelligence was defined and measured throughout the 20th century.

The first intelligence test was developed in 1904, the same year that “general intelligence” was introduced by British psychologist Charles Spearman. But the tests that we use nowadays look very different than the ​ original IQ tests . Modifications to the tests have attempted to adapt to the changing world, as well as overcome racial or cultural biases that were present in earlier versions of these tests.

We can measure a culture's intelligence throughout time and see that in the past millennia, it's been increasing, mostly due to nutrition and education. This is called the Flynn Effect . 

Wechsler IQ Test

IQ tests still exist today, including the popular Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. But as psychologists explore different types of intelligence, one number doesn’t always seem sufficient to measure your ability to understand the world.

Wisdom Vs Intelligence Examples

Reddit posters have some great examples to illustrate the difference between wisdom and intelligence:

  • "Intelligence is knowing that Frankenstein was the doctor. Wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein was the monster.
  • "Intelligence is how efficiently knowledge can be absorbed. Wisdom is how efficiently knowledge can be applied."
  • "Intelligence is the ability to answer questions, Wisdom is asking the right ones."

Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences has been around since the 80s, but like the definition of measurement of intelligence, it continues to change. In 2009, Gardener proposed that a “moral” intelligence could also be included in his list of multiple intelligences.

Would you consider “moral” intelligence to be wisdom? Or, like Sternberg, do you believe that wisdom requires more than intelligence: it requires creativity, common sense, and other types of knowledge?

Let’s sum things up.

If people consider you to be wise, it’s likely that they consider you to be intelligent as well. But you can be “intelligent” without being wise. Someone can acquire a lot of skills and knowledge without having a moral compass. Knowing the difference between right and wrong, and using that knowledge to make decisions, is what makes you wise.

How to Gain Wisdom vs Intelligence

We gain intelligence from our life experiences. Reading a book increases our intelligence. Going to a music class increases our intelligence. Working in the garden alongside our grandparents increases our intelligence. We may develop intelligence in different areas, but all of these experiences bolster our intelligence. From our intelligence, we can recite facts, complete tasks, and solve problems.

Wisdom is gained from other types of life experiences. Let's say you are gardening alongside your grandparents and they begin to tell you about their life. You hear about how your grandfather fought in the war and how the country's mindset changed before and after that time period. They share wisdom on human nature, love, and kindness. They may be passing on their wisdom to you, but this retelling does not make you wise. You gain wisdom when you think through that information in your mind and apply it to the world you are living in. When you encounter situations with your friends or family, you step back. How do the experiences of other people change your perspective? What information could you not know? Asking these types of questions, and searching for the answers, is a sign of wisdom.

Quotes About Wisdom vs Intelligence From the Greatest Minds

The search for wisdom vs intelligence never ends. The following quotes about wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge may point you in the direction of some of the world's greatest minds and most important literature. Keep thinking, keep learning, and keep searching!

Quotes About Wisdom

"The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing." -Socrates

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." -Confucious

"Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult to store up in the mind a vast quantity of facts within a comparatively short time, but the ability to form judgments requires the severe discipline of hard work and the tempering heat of experience and maturity." -Calvin Coolidge

"It is impossible to love and be wise." -Francis Bacon

"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk." -Doug Larson

"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf." -Walter Lippmann

"Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more." -William Cowper

"A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation." -Moliere

"Turn your wounds into wisdom." -Oprah Winfrey

"To be satisfied with a little, is the greatest wisdom; and he that increaseth his riches, increaseth his cares; but a contented mind is a hidden treasure, and trouble findeth it not." -Akhenaton

"Wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone." -Horace

"A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake altogether." -Roy H. Williams

Quotes About Intelligence

"Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice." -Anton Chekov

"The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends." -Friedrich Nietzsche

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." -F. Scott Fitzgerald

"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” -Albert Einstein

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” -Walter Cronkite

"An intellectual is someone whose mind watches itself. I like this, because I am happy to be both halves, the watcher and the watched. 'Can they be brought together?' This is a practical question. We must get down to it.  'I despise intelligence' really means: 'I cannot bear my doubts.'" -Albert Camus

"It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.” - Crime and Punishment 

“Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence– whether much that is glorious– whether all that is profound– does not spring from disease of thought– from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect.” - Complete Tales and Poems 

“If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Crazy people are considered mad by the rest of the society only because their intelligence isn't understood.” -Wei Hui

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What Is the Difference Between Intelligence and Wisdom?

There’s a massive difference between being intelligent and being wise. One can deeply intelligent, but not very wise.

So, what’s the difference between intelligence and wisdom?

Let’s find out:

Table of Contents

Wisdom means having knowledge and pulling one’s judgment and experience too

Intelligence can take on many connotations, such as having knowledge of facts, wisdom is intelligence that’s colored by understanding, intelligence is your brain’s ability to apply knowledge, wisdom is applied knowledge and includes a deeper understanding of the world, intelligence is based on how someone performs on standardized tests and work, wisdom focuses on emotions such as empathy, self-awareness, and resilience, wisdom is a result of insight gained from lived experience, intelligence is something that you learn from education or work, intelligence can be learned through experience but it is not a necessary part of wisdom, wisdom comes from knowledge and is about having good judgment, intelligence is understanding the “how”, wisdom is understanding the “why”, can someone be intelligent but not wise, what are the traits of an intelligent person.

Vindy Teja, B.A., LL.B.

Vindy Teja

Professional Life & Divorce Coach | TEDx Speaker | Author, YOLO: Essential Life Hacks for Happiness

  • Intelligence is typically associated with innate and unchanging ability or IQ.
  • Wisdom, on the other hand, refers to the qualities of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

The focus here is on wisdom. Wisdom can give you an edge or the ability to handle information appropriately. It helps you directly affect outcomes. Practicing it showcases your best self.

You build relationships where you’re not only safe to be yourself, you allow and encourage others to do the same. Think of wisdom as the proverbial magic wand that boosts the quality of your life.

What does wisdom include? It includes the willingness to embrace and learn from differences, which many of the world’s most respected leaders and peacemakers like Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi , Mother Theresa , and Martin Luther King, Jr. are revered for. They all possessed a keen understanding of the universal human condition, dedication, and problem-solving abilities.

Wisdom also includes the power of compassion and understanding. When you show these to others, they’re less likely to feel threatened by you, more likely to open up and be honest with you, and more willing to share their ideas with you. Co-operative solutions come from this safe place.

Discretion refers to the freedom to decide what to say or do in a given situation. Wisdom gives you the ability to handle information appropriately. Using your wisdom while exercising your discretion allows you to do many things including:

  • Figure out what’s necessary or best to share
  • Speak up now or later
  • Back down permanently, until a later time, or until circumstances change
  • Stay silent
  • Take a certain course of action

Acquiring wisdom is not simple or automatic. It’s a life-long process which includes making your own mistakes and learning from them as well as seeking wisdom from those you respect.

Charlene Walters, MBA, PhD

Charlene Walters headshot

Writer | Speaker | Business & Branding Mentor,  Own Your Other

Intelligence involves how you gain knowledge and skills, and your ability to interact with the world around you, but wisdom is about more than just having knowledge – it pulls in one’s judgment and experience too.

Wisdom is knowing that data is important, but that it is not the only thing that should be used to inform your decisions. It’s realizing that people, relationships, and giving back matter and should always be considered in all of your decisions and interactions too.

Wisdom is about pulling in from the totality of areas that you have at your disposal – your networks, expertise, skills, experience, and emotional intelligence while strict intelligence is more limited and fixed.

Related: Emotional Intelligence: What is it & How to Improve Yours?

What’s more, wisdom involves learning from the things we’ve failed at in addition to those we’ve been successful at and having the confidence to realize that failing is central to our growth and should always be seen that way and embraced.

Wisdom is learning through trial and error, seeing the value in everything and everyone and embracing feedback from others including people and perspectives that are different from our own.

Paul E. Kotz, Ph.D.

Paul E. Kotz

Life Coach | Associate Professor | Author, Profiles in Kindness: Stories of Servant Leadership and Inspiration

These can also refer to interpersonal skills, interpersonal skills, musical talents, emotional EQ, creative and analytical abilities, and myriad other talents.

What is kind of a miracle for each and every one of us, is that we all have some form of intelligence that we are strong in, and can build upon.

Wisdom gives us the ability to decipher the differences in good judgment or making a decision that is prudent in certain situations we are presented with.

You can be very smart and possess a high IQ, but not all who are intelligent are fully equipped through life’s ever-present challenges, to make good decisions. Somehow, more experience makes us seasoned to handle challenges.

People with wisdom and intelligence are those we are often attracted to, and seek out for advice. Wisdom also means we know what contentment is, what pain can be, and how past mistakes can formulate better decision making in the future.

Related: What Is the Difference Between Knowledge and Wisdom?

Gray Robinson

James Gray Robinson

Attorney, Lawyer’s Lifeline | Relationship Expert | Author | Speaker

Intelligence and wisdom are two sides of a similar coin, namely our mental ability to succeed and live in the world.

Intelligence is an individual’s capacity to store and utilize information while wisdom is more practical knowledge gained through experience.

One way to illustrate the difference is by comparing a Volkswagen Beetle to a Ferrari. Intelligence will tell us the function and specifications of each. Wisdom will tell us which one to use.

Intelligence can be described as innate while wisdom can be described as common sense.

This is why geniuses can have such a difficult time living in the real world. They can tell you how to find the square root of Pi, but they may not be able to iron a shirt.

A famous example of wisdom versus intelligence comes from the Old Testament and the story of Solomon. As the story goes, Solomon was a pious man who loved his God above all others.

To reward Solomon, his God granted him anything he wanted, and Solomon chose wisdom. Thus, he was just and wise as a king, knowing the common sense of things. It goes without saying that he was already intelligent and wise by knowing to ask for wisdom, but it makes a good story.

Lisa DeAngelis

Lisa DeAngelis

Founder, Dragonfly Coaching, LLC

Knowledge is the acquisition of information, while wisdom is knowing and having the experience as to how to use that information.

In and of itself, I don’t believe that wisdom has a moral obligation to it. Though when I work with my clients, I do frame wisdom in the context of values and the greater good.

As an example, a leader I am working with has come to the realization that she has to reduce costs if she is to keep her business alive through this economic crisis. She knows (knowledge) that the organization doesn’t have the funding to weather the storm indefinitely.

Because of her values, she has chosen to systematically address every cost, including her own salary, before she would even consider reduced hours, furloughs, or lay-offs for her employees.

Her reasoning for this decision is that she believes (wisdom) that the differentiator that will enable the company to rebound once the economy turns is the staff.

Her ability to communicate to the organization not only what the decisions are that she is making (knowledge), but why she is making these decisions (wisdom), enables the employees to understand her logic (their knowledge) and to consider how they can best support this direction (their wisdom).

Chris Norris

Chris Norris

Certified Sleep Science Coach | Founder and Managing Editor, Sleep Standards

Intelligence and wisdom are two characteristics of the mind that inevitably cross paths. It’s unlikely for an intelligent individual to live their entire life without gaining some kind of wisdom. This is especially true because wisdom is an undeniably subjective character trait.

In the end, what makes for wisdom is intelligence informed by empathy, intelligence that grasps with sympathy the complexity of others and the world, and this has implications.

When intelligence is not informed by empathy, what it produces will generally not contribute to the common good. Without concomitant empathy, intelligence invariably becomes arrogant and condescending.

True learning, on another hand, is humble, self-effacing, and empathic. When we develop ourselves intellectually, without sufficient empathy, our talents invariably become causes for envy rather than gifts for the community.

Related: Compassion vs Empathy vs Sympathy. What is the Difference?

In understanding which is more important: wisdom or intelligence, it’s beneficial to learn what helps you better deal with novel situations, relate to people better, and influence your overall success in life.

Some people have an enormous amount of knowledge, but what they lack is the wisdom needed to cope with ordinary daily tasks. We might call this: intelligence without wisdom.

On the other hand, there are those who are highly efficient in solving complicated issues but haven’t got any factual knowledge to accompany their ideas. These would be high wisdom: low intelligence individuals.

Wisdom is a virtue. Intelligence is the ability to acquire information and to use it. Both are essential. Both are useful. Their outcomes, however, are different.

Without intelligence, we would not be able to advance knowledge.

If a person desires the type of progress that emerges out of a knowledge-based society, then intelligence would be seen to be more useful.

Without wisdom, we would not be able to use that knowledge to make decisions that promote the welfare of others.

If we esteem the type of social progress that emerges out of the practice of virtue, then wisdom would be seen to be more useful.

Natalie Mica

Natalie Mica

Licensed Professional Counselor | Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator

Intelligence is the accumulation of head knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge gained from the experiences of living what the head can only study, and it involves having the ability to understand and make good judgments based on experience.

One can be very intelligent and not be wise, prepared, or able to use the intellect to make good judgments. Many intellectuals and public figures have immense head knowledge and yet do not understand enough to make good judgments for themselves or others.

Intelligence is more the ability to know theory and wisdom is the ability to know and put the theory into action or to live the theory out in positive ways.

Mike Carpenter

Mike Carpenter

Founder, Carpenter Associates

Intelligence and wisdom are certainly related, and their definitions appear to overlap somewhat. My sense though is that wisdom is more than just intelligence or knowledge for knowledge’s sake.

In fact, Intelligence and knowledge can be outdated, inaccurate, incomplete, misunderstood, often misinterpreted, and is often subject to personal interpretation.

Intelligence and/or knowledge in most fields is always changing, and never static because it can and does become obsolete, it frequently needs to be updated.

On the other hand, wisdom is generally more stable because of its fundamental nature, broader potential applications, and its tendency to simplify things.

Wisdom is much more about applied knowledge, or actionable knowledge and inherently includes a deep understanding and appreciation for how the world actually works, not how it’s supposed to work.

Wisdom is not just what theoretical intelligence or knowledge tells us. It’s based on what actually happens on an ongoing basis all over the world.

Christine Perkett

Christine Perkett

CEO, Mindfull Marketing + PR

Intelligence can be based on one’s ability to memorize and recall facts and regurgitate them when asked a question. It has nothing to do with awareness or emotion. On the other hand, wisdom is more about emotional intelligence.

We gain wisdom by living through hardship and paying attention to the lessons each situation has to share with us. Someone who is not wise will not heed these lessons. Someone can be highly intelligent but have no wisdom.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew

Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

Author | TEDx Speaker | Trainer | Consultant

There is a difference between wisdom and intelligence. Although many believe wisdom comes as a result of age, that isn’t necessarily true.

If you learn from those experiences and they have impacted your thinking, behavior, and actions, that can be a source of wisdom.

You can have information and not experience what you are aware of. For instance, there are individuals who teach in business schools but may not have ever owned a business. They can teach others about processes and theories that they’ve studied even though they have not implemented what they are teaching–they have knowledge about it.

I often was amazed at my grandmother who was not a highly educated woman by the world’s standards but she had so much lived experience that I benefited from.

She taught me so much about life and living even though her formal education did not go beyond middle school. One is not better than the other but they are both valuable.

I make sure that I surround myself with others who can speak into my life because of their wisdom and intelligence. There is no way that you’ll have access to knowing or doing everything but you can benefit from the experiences and knowledge of others.

Kellee Marlow

Kellee Marlow

Founder | Empowerment-in-Chief | Strategist

Intelligence and wisdom do not always go hand in hand. I see intelligence as a general term that can be applied to anyone that has the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge. We’re all intelligent in one way or another.

Wisdom, however, requires intelligence along with experience, compassion, and the ability to delve into the many layers of life.

It is a knowing that comes from our inner capacity to differentiate the intrinsic truth, in response to knowledge gained. To be wise, a person needs to be open-minded and accepting of all perspectives and possibilities.

Paige Arnof-Fenn

Paige Arnof-Fenn

Founder & CEO, Mavens & Moguls

Young and old people acquire intelligence through school, work, and life experience but they do not always show good judgment but some are in fact quite wise.

It does not necessarily come with age. Some of the wisest people I know are not formally educated but they have great common sense and understand human nature in a deep way that shows they truly know how others think and feel.

Wise people are more emotionally intelligent than book smart in my experience.

Nicole Arzt, MS

Nicole Arzt

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist |Mental Health Expert, Invigor Medical

Intelligence is fairly cognitive. When you’re intelligent, you can make decisions, solve problems, and come up with creative ideas. But wise people integrate both cognitive and emotional strength. Intelligent people often know they’re intelligent. They know they know something!

Wise people have more skepticism in both themselves and others, although this skepticism isn’t negative. It’s more of an acceptance that it’s truly impossible to know anything, that there are always possibilities for different answers or theories. Intelligent people often focus on acting. Wise people often focus on thinking.

Samantha Moss

Samantha Moss

Editor & Content Ambassador, Romantific

Intelligence and wisdom are two things that a lot of people get confused with. I, for one, have been using these two terms interchangeably for the longest time. Because of these two closely related terms, it is best to know the difference between them.

Intelligence has three types as analyzed by a Psychologist, Dr. Robert J Sternberg’s Triarthic Theory of Intelligence :

  • Practical intelligence. This is commonly used in one’s daily life. This can be measured by how a person knows how to do something rather than just the knowledge of what that something is.
  • Creative intelligence. This is measured in how a person adjusts to a certain situation effectively.
  • Analytical intelligence. This is applied when a person analyzes something before acting on it. Analytical intelligence can be measured by IQ tests.

While wisdom, on the other hand, is something that you acquire or develop as time goes by. Some people often use their wisdom when making decisions that they apply their experience and knowledge of the situation.

Winston Perez

Winston Perez

Author | Founder, Concept Modeling

Intelligence is digging past the superficial and getting to know the truth concerning a subject, principle, or object — how it functions or works.

Wisdom is knowing how to apply the truth, when to discard it or even reverse it, because you understand the deeper why — the deeper concept or essence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible for someone to be intelligent but not wise. Intelligence refers to a person’s ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, whereas wisdom involves sound judgment, insight, and practical experience.

An intelligent person may have a high IQ, be academically accomplished, and possess a vast store of information, but they may lack the ability to use their knowledge effectively in real-world situations. They may struggle to make good decisions, misread social cues, or lack emotional intelligence.

Wisdom, on the other hand, comes from a combination of knowledge and experience. It involves being able to apply what one has learned to make sound judgments, assess risks, and navigate complex social situations.

In some cases, a person may be highly intelligent but lack wisdom because they have not had the opportunity to gain practical experience or develop emotional intelligence. In other cases, a person may be wise but not highly intelligent, relying instead on their intuition and practical experience.

Intelligent people are characterized by a variety of traits that set them apart from the crowd. Here are some of the key qualities that tend to be associated with high intelligence:

• Curiosity : Intelligent people are naturally curious about the world around them. They ask questions, seek out new experiences, and have a thirst for knowledge that drives them to explore new ideas and concepts.

• Open-mindedness : Intelligent people are often open-minded and receptive to new ideas and perspectives. They are willing to consider different points of view and are not afraid to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs.

• Critical thinking : Intelligent people are skilled at analyzing information and evaluating arguments. They are able to identify flaws in reasoning and are not easily swayed by emotional appeals or illogical arguments.

• Creativity : Intelligent people often have a talent for creative thinking and problem-solving. They are able to generate new ideas and approaches to challenges and are not afraid to take risks in pursuit of innovation.

• Emotional intelligence : Intelligent people tend to be emotionally intelligent, meaning they are aware of their own emotions and able to regulate them effectively. They are also skilled at reading other people’s emotions and responding appropriately.

• Perseverance : Intelligent people are often highly motivated and persistent in pursuit of their goals. They are willing to work hard, overcome obstacles, and push themselves to achieve their full potential.

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Happier Human

Wisdom VS Intelligence: 7 Key Differences

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Why would anyone want to know the difference between wisdom vs intelligence? Is one better than the other? Wisdom and intelligence are two highly desirable traits and are equally important for navigating through life successfully.

However, the two concepts are often confused as one and the same . Sometimes they are misunderstood as  mutually exclusive  when they are in fact distinct and separate . In other words, thinking that being intelligent means being ‘wise’, or having wisdom means being intelligent.

Many people, including psychologist  Robert Stemberg , believe that wisdom can take you where intelligence cannot. For example, exercising judgment and making decisions  based on how previous behaviors shaped their experiences .

Quite intriguing, isn’t it? Join me as we explore what it means to have wisdom, how it differs from intelligence, and how both characteristics can positively influence life outcomes.

Table of Contents

What Is Wisdom?

Wisdom is a characteristic that shows in one’s ability to apply knowledge gained through experience to achieve better life outcomes.  Knowledge is information, such as facts and processes (how to do things), that is continuously acquired throughout one’s lifetime.

Throughout the lifespan, a rich history of knowledge gained from experiences is created. This is different from knowledge gained through reading or academic learning.

Life lessons (knowledge) gained from experiences are automatically stored in the brain and can be applied to make better choices.

However, not many people are capable of accessing the information until they’re older or after developing greater  self-awareness .

Benefits of Wisdom

Wisdom teaches lessons from personal experiences.  You can gain experience cognitively from reading materials, but practical experience comes from  living through it  along with all the accompanying negative and positive feelings and emotions.  Other benefits of wisdom worth noting include:

  • Ability to discern right from wrong (also called intuition)
  • Ability to view adversity as an opportunity for growth
  • Being more accepting of uncontrollable life’s challenges and uncertainties
  • Ability to spot danger from afar and avoid it
  • Better sense of direction that comes intuitively
  • Developing greater patience and therefore  less likely to experience anxiety
  • Greater vision and leadership skills
  • Knowing how to attain peace, happiness, and contentment with greater ease

What Is Intelligence?  

Intelligence is a  psychological characteristic  commonly described as  the ability to apply acquired academic knowledge or facts to perform tasks or make everyday decisions .  

You are, in essence,  “using your logic to solve problems and make decisions, ” says neuroscientist and author of  The Source , Tara Swart, M.D., Ph.D. The author was quoted in an  article  published by  Mind Body Green .

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Knowledge is a  key factor and a common denominator in wisdom and intelligence . It refers to a collection of information and skills gained through experience and is  similar to wisdom , to the extent that you can gain it through experience.

Benefits of Intelligence

It feels good to be called intelligent because it validates your intellectual abilities. Saying  “Thank you,”  is enough.

Those with  narcissistic traits and tendencies , however, tend to get cocky when praised for their intelligence.  “Of course, I’m intelligent, and don’t forget smart, charming, and good-looking,”  is something a narcissist would say.  

The point is that intelligence is a highly sought-after attribute by humankind because  intelligence makes them feel powerful . Other key advantages of high intellect include:

  • Better grades at school
  • Higher-paying jobs
  • Ability to think critically, analytically, and rationally
  • Ability to make  logical decisions
  • Admiration by others (something  highly desirableby grandiose narcissists )
  • Ability to solve complex problems, e.g., involving mathematics or inductive or deductive reasoning. People with  Extraverted Sensing (Se) are inductive thinkers .
  • Ability to predict future outcomes based on knowledge of the appropriate data
  • Less likely to get in trouble e.g., because of an understanding of crime and punishment

Wisdom vs Intelligence: 5 Noteworthy Differences

The core difference is seen in how each of the two qualities is acquired and used , as you will notice in the distinct differences highlighted below.

#1. Wisdom grows with age, but not necessarily intelligence

You might have heard the sentiment  “The older, the wiser.”  And there might be some truth to it; at least that’s what researchers have concluded.

One study on  the relationship between wisdom and aging  found “e mpirical evidence that social wisdom improves with age .” Researchers came to this conclusion after making a comparison between older and younger participants in the study.

Greater wisdom is seen in older people’s ability to use a wider range of reasoning and consider different outcomes when faced with various scenarios. Those scenarios include making choices, resolving conflicts, dealing with uncertainties, and deciding when to take risks.

We, as humans, don’t necessarily grow more intelligent (at least not automatically) as we age. Sure enough, we may acquire knowledge through day-to-day interactions, but remember knowledge is acquired information and skills.

It does not equal  cognitive intelligence , which entails judgment, reasoning, and thinking analytically.

#2. Wisdom comes through life experience, unlike intelligence

“Experience teacheth wisdom,”  at least that’s the age-old belief. It makes sense that we learn from experience, whether the experience was pleasant or unpleasant.

If unpleasant, we know not to do a certain thing again, providing we’re aware that certain actions or activities will lead to terrible consequences.

We are wiser if we can use the knowledge gained, especially from bad experiences, to exercise sound judgment in the future .

I don’t believe anyone can say for a fact that people with more life experience under their belt are more intelligent than those who don’t. It is a hasty generalization at best.

Intelligence is something you have to  consciously work on improving . In fact, a person can be extremely intelligent yet lack experience in various areas as well as wisdom.

#3. Intelligence can be willfully improved, but not wisdom

You can read a book, take a course, or read for a degree and you’ll increase intelligence and knowledge just like that. Gaining more practical knowledge is also a decision you can make at any given time.

While, according to  one study , wisdom is  “subject to continual change,”  you simply can’t force it or make it happen at will.

wisdom vs intelligence essay | wisdom vs intelligence essay | intelligence and wisdom difference

You can’t wake up one day and say, I’m going to develop or increase my wisdom today,  at least not exponentially . The only fresh wisdom you’ll gain is from  new or different experiences you have on that day .

Unlike the gathering of intellectual information, wisdom is acquired over time and through different life experiences.

#4. Wisdom leads to second-nature decisions, unlike intelligence

The use of intelligence to make decisions requires the application of facts, logic, and/or reasoning. Besides, the individual will first have to be intelligent in order to engage in the process of logical thinking and use the result to make informed decisions. That’s only one issue.

Now, let’s imagine two people, one who’s  wise  and the other  intelligent . Both are given the task of making a decision pertaining to the same problem.

The intelligent person begins to use academic knowledge to figure out the answer. Who knows, they might even say,  “Let me Google that and get back to you.”

The wise person relies on past experiences, patterns, and intuition, as seen in those with  INTJ Personality . They also lean on their ability to make quick judgments from the facts and are able to come to a decision quickly, without relying on books or googling for tips.

Consider this response as  wisdom in motion . Because the information is already stored in the brain from previous experience, they’re able to quickly draw from it and act accordingly.  

Quickly solving a problem using intelligence can be more challenging if there’s no knowledge to fall back on or the individual lacks life experience in that area, to begin with.

#5. Wisdom allows for self-reflection, intelligence may not

A person,  young or old,  can be as smart as a whip and still conduct themselves poorly because they lack the ability to self-reflect and gain awareness of their behaviors. For example, noticing they’ve acted impulsively, aggressively, or indulged in risky behaviors.

In the study on  the relationship between wisdom and aging  mentioned earlier, wisdom accounted for the difference in self-reflection and emotional stability in older people.

In other words, they were wiser and less impulsive in the way they approached decision-making, challenges, and interpersonal relationships.

The ability to ask yourself why you’re repeating the same mistake comes from  internal self-reflection . To self-reflect, you must have a healthy level of self-awareness. Within self-awareness is emotional intelligence, which is different from cognitive intelligence, or learned information.

Emotional intelligence  enables you to assess and regulate your own behavior and see its effects on those around you. The ability to regulate our emotions and maintain emotional stability also  comes with age, time, experiences, and maturity .

Certainly, we can read  tips on self-discovery  and emotion regulation. However, we still have to be mentally capable of applying them to improve our behaviors.

#6. Intelligence can be measured, but not wisdom

If you know of a Wisdom Quotient Test that exists, please let me know. I wouldn’t mind taking the test to learn my level of wisdom.

As far as intelligence goes, it can be measured through an  Intelligence Quotient (IQ)  test, such as the  Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS ). The standardized test is used for assessing a person’s level of thinking and reasoning.

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The higher the score, the higher their intellect. Unfortunately, you can be as wise as an owl and still flunk an IQ test.

Even though wisdom can’t be quantified in numbers, there are ways to “ measure personal wisdom,”  according to a  study . Measuring takes into account factors such as the ability to complete tasks, meet goals, deal with challenges, regulate one’s emotions, openness to experiences, and  self-acceptance .

#7. Intelligence does things “by the book,” wisdom asks if it’s the right thing to do

Wisdom is more of an inner sensing ability or intuition that kicks in to question what you’re about to say or do before doing so.

Intelligent people who lack wisdom may act impulsively by nature. At the same time, they’re capable of thinking rationally using book logic and acting accordingly. That doesn’t mean they’re making the  best  or  right  move.

By asking,  “Is this the right and proper thing to do?”  wisdom essentially turns to past experiences and core values, such as  honesty  and  morality , for advice in order to determine the  proper course of action .

Wisdom causes people to  “reconsider the consequences of their actions both to self and their effects on others”  and helps them decide if they should go ahead with their actions. That’s according to  Dr. Vivian Clayton, Ph.D . , a licensed clinical psychologist. Her findings are published in her study on  Wisdom and Intelligence: The Nature and Function of Knowledge in the Later Years .

Final Thoughts on Wisdom vs Intelligence

We should all seek to increase intelligence and use wisdom every single day. Together, these valuable traits can increase success, wealth, health, and happiness.

Often, these things go hand in hand. If one is successful, they are likely wealthy (whether in riches or emotions).  And if you are wealthy, you are likely not stressed, which helps keep you healthy.  And if you’re healthy and successful, chances are you are happy! Craving more?

Check out this piece on  Aristotle’s Practical Wisdom: Does Doing the Right Thing Make You Happier?

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The difference between intelligence and wisdom—and how to acquire both

The quest for wisdom is an age-old effort.

It’s often been said that wisdom is the art of knowing that you are not wise.

The great philosopher Socrates famously denied being wise more than two thousand years ago, and since then, we have taken him at his word.

There is a truth there, but that definition isn’t very helpful. I mean, I’m all for respecting uncertainty, doubting oneself, and realizing the limitations of my mind, but I think we can do better. Maybe even take a few steps forward.

More importantly, I think we can create our own definition that separates it from just mere intelligence and then use that definition to illustrate why the distinction matters and how we can practically engage it in everyday life.

Intelligence is commonly associated with knowing something. Often, it also means that we can confidently apply what we know in a particular context.

Wisdom, to me, is different. It’s different because it has more dimensions. Wisdom not only knows, but it also understands. And the distinction between knowing and understanding is what makes things interesting.

Knowing is generally factual. You have learned a particular kind of knowledge and you know its truth as it applies to a particular problem.

Understanding, however, is more fluid. You have learned a particular kind of knowledge, but you don’t see it as a fact or a truth applied rigidly to one thing. Rather, you understand that knowledge’s essence and you can see how it relates to everything else, with nuances and contradictions included.

The difference is subtle but potent. While intelligence gives you specific utility, wisdom inspires flexible versatility. It provides a more textured lens for interacting with reality, very much changing how you think.

Building relational knowledge

Every time you have a perspective shift, big or small, you gain knowledge.

You learn something new that you maybe didn’t know before, and as a result, your mind then changes itself regarding whatever that knowledge pertains to in the future. Next time, there is an added clarity.

If the acquired knowledge is understood, rather than just known, however, there is another step that occurs every time your mind shifts.

If you’re a student, for example, and you’re writing an exam, and it’s a difficult one, let’s say you decide to cheat. Now, unfortunately, when you cheat, you get caught. It leads to a failing grade in the course.

The thing to learn from this experience that would add to your intelligence would be the fact that cheating on an exam has consequences, and those consequences, while improbable, have a disproportionately negative impact on your life. It’s simply not worth it in the future.

The extra step that would translate the intelligence in that particular scenario into broadly applicable wisdom would be to realize that not only is it not worth cheating on an exam due to the harsh consequences, but that most things in the world that carry disproportionately costly risks should be approached cautiously, whether they be financial decisions or personal life choices.

This is, of course, a very simplified scenario, but the point is that knowledge is relational and the understanding of wisdom recognizes that rather than treating it simply as an isolated information point.

Instead of the lesson being that cheating is bad, you combine the essence of the knowledge learned from that experience with your existing latticework of previous knowledge to really hammer home the underlying principle.

This way, you understand how taking shortcuts may harm your personal relationships, how your new understanding of risk may inform your business practices, and how what you say matters beyond why you say it.

Knowledge is always best leveraged when it’s connected to other knowledge.

Creating an information network

Image for article titled The difference between intelligence and wisdom—and how to acquire both

In network science, there is a now-famous effect called Metcalfe’s law.

It was first used to describe the growth of telecommunication networks, but over time, the application has been extended beyond that. It essentially states that the value of a network rises with the number of connected users.

In any network, each thing of interest is a node and the connection between such things is a link. The number of nodes themselves don’t necessarily reflect the value of a network, but the number of links between those nodes do.

For example, ten independent phones by themselves aren’t really all that useful. What makes them useful is the connection that they have to other phones. And the more they are connected to other phones, the more useful they are because the more access they have to each other.

Well, the relationship between different kinds of knowledge in our mind works the same way. The more connected they are to each other, the more valuable the information network that we have in our brain is.

Every time you gain knowledge, you are either isolating it within a narrow context where it’s addressing a particular problem, or you are breaking it down a little further so that you can connect that knowledge to the already existing information you’ve accumulated so far.

In this scenario, intelligence is found within a pocket of information by itself. Wisdom, however, is accumulated in the process of creating new links.

Each node of knowledge in your mind is a mental model of some aspect of reality, but that mental model isn’t fully complete until it’s been stripped down and re-contextualized in light of the information contained in the other mental models of knowledge around it.

The only way to acquire wisdom is to think in terms of the whole information network rather than the individual nodes that it contains.

That’s where nuance is considered; that’s where the respect for complexity comes in; and that’s how specialized information finds it flexibility.

The strength of your mind depends on the value of your information network.

The takeaway

The quest for wisdom is an age-old effort. It’s one many have recommended.

It’s been said to be as useful for finding inner contentment as it for fueling external successes. It’s a more prudent way of interacting with reality.

While not everyone’s definition of wisdom is the same, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched to distinguish it by a mode of deeper understanding. One that goes beyond just the knowing we commonly associate with intelligence.

When we think of the acquisition of intelligence, we think of new information inspired by a perspective-shift that tells us a truth about one aspect of reality.

Wisdom goes further than that. It strips that same information down to its essence so that it can relate the underlying principle of that knowledge to the existing information network that exists in the mind.

It’s the connectedness of this network that separates it from mere intelligence.

The more links between each pocket of information, the more valuable the whole network will be when tackling any other problem. It adds an extra dimension to each mental model contained in the mind.

Simply knowing this doesn’t make a person more equipped to soak in wisdom, but with awareness and practice, new thinking patterns can be created.

The way you do this shapes everything else. It’s worth working on.

Want to think and live smarter? Zat Rana publishes a free weekly newsletter for 30,000+ readers at Design Luck .

This post was originally published on  Medium .

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A Conscious Rethink

Wisdom vs. Intelligence: Do You Know The Difference?

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middle aged woman with gray hair illustrating wisdom and intelligence

“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you to make a living; the other helps you to make a life.”

So said clinical psychologist, Dr Sandra Carey, neatly summing up the difference between these two often confused human qualities.

This insightful observation would suggest wisdom is an important element in achieving life satisfaction. And yet these days, it seems that the big focus is on the acquisition of knowledge and developing intelligence.

Everyone is hell-bent on pursuing their education to the n-th degree in the hope of landing that dream job, together with the social status and financial reward it brings.

Wisdom is left behind in the race for the top.

It turns out the loser in this quest for academic excellence is good old-fashioned wisdom, which has slipped down the rankings of desirable qualities in a knowledge-obsessed and target-driven world.

How many job descriptions have you read citing wisdom as a requirement for applicants?

Yet, time was when this noblest of qualities was highly prized. Those with sagacity and deep understanding of a broad range of life experiences were sought out to dispense advice and to deliver the pearls of wisdom people craved.  

Now, though, it’s all about grades and acquiring the next set of qualifications to boost us up the salary rankings – not forgetting the bluster and self-aggrandizement which goes with pursuing success.

You put in the hard graft, you earned your reward – job done and you’re set for life, isn’t that so?

Well, maybe not. Being intelligent and hardworking isn’t everything.

Yes, your excellent academic achievements show that you’re capable of logical thinking, understanding concepts, and are equipped with heaps of determination and grit when it comes to getting down to work.

Admirable qualities though these may be, research indicates that intelligence is not an indicator of well-being.

It seems that our obsessive pursuit of knowledge has been to the detriment of cultivating wisdom. That in turn has resulted in a diminished overall life experience.

So, what IS the difference between wisdom and intelligence?

It’s not always easy to define abstract qualities such as these, but a quick refresher on the dictionary definition of each may shed some light:

Wisdom: The ability to use your experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions and judgments.

Intelligence: The ability to think, reason, and understand instead of doing things automatically or by instinct.

Distilling these definitions down to the bare essentials, the key difference would seem to be that wisdom uses the perspective gained from life experiences, whereas intelligence is down to the acquisition of empirical facts and knowledge. 

Applying the nature/nurture debate is another way to distinguish between the two:

Intelligence is generally accepted as being something you are born with to some degree (although it also requires nurturing to fulfil its potential).

Wisdom, on the other hand, is not something innate, needing time and experience as well as observation and contemplation to develop and ultimately blossom.

Another way to discern a difference is to say that intelligence is knowing how to do something; wisdom is knowing if and/or when one should do it.

Intelligence may mean knowing how to hack into your work’s computer network, but wisdom is understanding that that is probably a bad idea!  

What does it mean to be wise?

Unsurprisingly, the list of quotes on the subject of wisdom is long and enlightening. Here are just a few, so you get the gist:

Pierre Abelard: “The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to the question and by seeking we may come upon the truth.”

Albert Einstein: “Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”

Marilyn vos Savant: “To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”

Socrates: “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.”

Benjamin Franklin: “The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance.”

Confucius: “To know what you know and to know what you don’t know. That is real wisdom.”

There’s a common theme running through these wise words and that is humility , a somewhat alien quality in our society right now, where trumpet-blowing is what it’s all about. But more on that later.

Right there among those gems you may well find the inspiration needed to encourage you to develop your inner ‘sage’ with the aim of becoming a wiser and deeper-thinking individual .

Later we’ll look at ways you might do just that, but first let’s investigate why this particular quality is so life-enhancing.

What can wisdom do for us?

In our frenetic and challenging existence, never has it been more important to be equipped with the wisdom to make the right choices; the wisdom to cope with the unknown; the wisdom to observe; the wisdom to deal with emotions; the wisdom to understand; and the wisdom to see beyond face value.

According to the study mentioned above…

“…wise reasoning is associated with greater life satisfaction, less negative affect, better social relationships, less depressive rumination, more positive versus negative words used in speech, and greater longevity.”

Another study found that wiser people experienced less loneliness.

The research identified a number of components of wisdom:

  • General knowledge of life
  • Emotion management
  • A sense of fairness
  • Acceptance of divergent values
  • Decisiveness

There is also evidence that wise thinkers’ ability to view things from a broader, open-minded perspective results in a more optimistic standpoint.

Whereas someone who is more close-minded, defensive and negative would typically, in the same situation, see only gloom and doom.

Another positive that goes hand in hand with wisdom is greater tolerance and a more balanced emotional response.

The self-awareness that comes with wisdom promotes self-control and keeps the lid on negative emotions like anger and frustration.

It’s the inner voice which advises against punching someone’s lights out or screaming obscenities – never a wise choice. Extreme examples, but you get the gist.

What also comes with wisdom is the ability to view situations from a fly-on-the-wall, distanced perspective; an all-important factor in making better decisions.

Self-distancing in this way puts the situation in a broader context, achieving a more balanced and satisfactory outcome.

The result isn’t just an intelligent decision, it’s a wise decision and these are the ones that generally lead to the greatest happiness.

All this evidence would indicate that, in addition to cramming in as much knowledge as possible in order to fulfil our potential and be the best we can be in our chosen field, it’s also important to cultivate wisdom to achieve emotional well-being, to make ourselves more rounded, complete, and fulfilled humans.

6 Ways To Become A Wiser Person

Wisdom isn’t the preserve of the older generation; a shock of gray hair and a lined face that reads like a roadmap isn’t a prerequisite for being wise.  

There are some active steps you can take to develop your inner ‘sage,’ which in turn will broaden and deepen your own life experience, making the effort worthwhile:

1. Take it easy.

Burdening yourself with constant busyness and working hard to compensate for your perceived (likely nonexistent) inadequacies, may impress the bosses.

It won’t, however, make you wiser.

Make sure you set aside time each day to be still and calm, allowing yourself to rest and step away from the stresses of life for a while.

Using your free time to read or even watching documentaries will be far more beneficial than filling the vacuum with c**p TV or video games.

Better yet, a hike in the woods will allow you time to relax, breathe, reflect, and expand your mind.

During these periods of calm, spend time reflecting on your inner self . It’s not possible to appreciate the thoughts and motivations of others if you don’t have a handle on what really makes you tick.

Learning the art of meditation is one of the best ways to develop an ‘inner eye.’

You’ll find that new perspectives open up to you when your mind isn’t skewed by the clamor of frantic activity.

2. Think before you speak.

There’s a time-honored aphorism which says: “Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing whether or not to say it.”

Rather than giving in to the urge to respond instantly, try giving yourself space and time for reflection before speaking.

Be receptive and listen attentively, but don’t always feel you need to air your opinion straight away, or even at all.

3. Say goodbye to ‘black and white.’

Try not to make instant judgments. Few things in life are actually black and white.

Instead, try to evaluate what’s going on by looking between the lines for the gray areas. Sitting on the fence for a while will give you a chance to look at things from a broader perspective.

Taking an overview which considers the potential uncertainties rather than black and white facts will enable you to offer more circumspect advice, if it’s required.

Any related decisions are likely to be better ones.  

4. Develop an inquiring mind.

You may already have reached the end of your formal education, but learning doesn’t stop there.

If you stop feeding your mind with new experiences – broadening and deepening your understanding – it will atrophy.

Philosophical author Anais Nin put it this way:

“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”

To become wiser, you need to open your mind, activate your natural curiosity, and be prepared to experiment.

Be hungry for new viewpoints and fresh experiences. Yes, you’ll make mistakes, but they are part of the process.

The key is to acquire as many different experiences as you can. Each one will add to the breadth and depth of your understanding.

A key Buddhist principle is the concept of the ‘beginner’s mind,’ one that is filled with wonder of discovery.

Think of a child’s sense of awe upon seeing the power of the ocean for the first time; that’s the kind of approach to life you need to cultivate.

With each experience approached from this childlike perspective will come a little more wisdom and understanding.

5. Read, read, read.

Read on your commute, read in bed, read on the toilet. Read books, magazines, and newspapers. Read blogs, read social commentaries, read comics, read the works of the greatest philosophical thinkers. Read novels or crime fiction. Read about your hobbies or your professional field.

Join the library or read online. Just read.

But be sure to reflect on whatever you read, form opinions and, if possible, talk about what you’ve read with friends and colleagues.

Whatever you read, it will help build an invaluable raft of knowledge (knowledge that goes beyond mere classroom facts).

Along the way you’ll learn how others have dealt with adverse situations that you may face yourself.

There’s a whole lot of truth in the saying: “We lose ourselves in books; we find ourselves there, too.”

6. A little humility goes a long way.

As can be clearly seen from the quotations of great thinkers above, acknowledging how little we do actually know is the cornerstone of true wisdom.

And yet our culture is all about self-promotion. To land that peachy job, a full-on sales pitch is needed. And it’s tempting to exaggerate, boosting a perfectly adequate skill set into something way beyond your real comfort zone.

That’s not to say that you need to abdicate your self-worth in any way. Painting a true picture of the real you, rather than some paragon of business virtue, will ultimately gain you more respect.

Accepting your own limitations is an important step on the road to greater wisdom. In turn, a bit of humility will allow you to respect and appreciate the abilities of others instead of fearing them.

What will I gain from this?

Let’s return to the difference between intelligence and wisdom.

There’s little doubt that making the most of the IQ we were blessed with at birth and cramming factual knowledge into our over-burdened minds can bring financial rewards and material success.

But in terms of overall life satisfaction, wisdom is the winner every time.

Possessing wisdom makes for a more rounded and certainly more fulfilled human.

You’ll be better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs and also to empathize with the struggles experienced by your family, friends, and colleagues.

As the ancient philosopher and poet Rumi wrote:

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

And if you do heed his wise words and change yourself, these life-enhancing improvements are within your grasp:

  • Better decision making
  • Greater empathy
  • Better ability to cope with adversity
  • A more optimistic outlook
  • Less likely to experience loneliness

To bring us back to where we started, with Dr Carey’s sage words, wisdom really is the key to living the fullest possible life.

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wisdom vs intelligence essay

Wisdom vs. Intelligence – What’s More Important?

  • December 10, 2018

Wisdom vs. Intelligence – What’s More Important?

One dilemma that has always intrigued us is which prevails between  wisdom vs intelligence ?

People have debated for decades who would be more successful in life: a wise man or an intelligent man. Which gift is more helpful?

Well, we’re going to break down the difference between intelligence and wisdom to give you some insight on the matter!

What Is Wisdom vs. Intelligence?

Intelligence can be defined as the ability to acquire and apply the information you collect. Wisdom, on the other hand, is directly associated with experience as opposed to cold, hard facts. It’s more complex and personal. When we draw on wisdom, we’re using a rich history of experience to help us make decisions. Intelligence can be improved, but wisdom must be built.

As you can see, wisdom and intellect are two different things. More or less, we have them both.

Yes, sometimes one is more prominent than the other. But it really all depends on whether we are more interested in collecting knowledge or collecting experiences.

What Is More Important - Wisdom or Intelligence?

What Is More Important – Wisdom or Intelligence?

In the understanding which is more important: wisdom or intelligence, it’s beneficial to learn what helps you better deal with novel situations, relate to people better, and influences your overall success in life.

As was mentioned before, intelligence is your brain’s ability to apply knowledge.

Some people have an enormous amount of knowledge, but what they lack is the wisdom needed to cope with ordinary daily tasks. We might call this:  intelligence without wisdom .

On the other hand, there are those who are highly efficient in solving complicated issues but haven’t got any factual knowledge to accompany their ideas. These would be high wisdom: low intelligence individuals.

Is It Better to Be Smart or Wise?

So, is it better to be smart or wise? The short answer is:  a balance between wisdom and intelligence is key . Everyone has both abilities, but not all of us are aware of their presence.

Your lifestyle, profession, and habits play an important role in building your skills and cognitive abilities. Everyone has different strengths that are naturally encouraged by their environment. After all, what you practice on a daily basis is bound to improve, right?

If you want a good piece of advice, here’s something to keep in mind:

The easiest way to achieve a successful balance between wisdom and intellect is by applying the knowledge you acquire in everyday situations. This is how you can build a healthy balance between your experiences and knowledge.

It’s not how smart you are, but how are you smart. – Jim Kwik

Applying the knowledge you acquire in everyday situations

How Do You Become Wise?

You may hear that wisdom comes with age and experience and that there are no wise young people. We strongly disagree!

Young people are fast learners when it comes to new ideas and technologies. This helps them develop different forms of wisdom they can use in their everyday lives.

And let’s not forget the important role that motivation plays in gaining intellect and experience. The more motivated you are to learn, the quicker you are to adapt.

Here are three ways that you can help yourself become wiser:

1. Chase new experiences

Go out into the world and explore the unknown. Don’t be afraid to experiment or make mistakes. That’s what this process is all about.

The more you experience, the more wisdom you’ll gain.

2. Become a self-expert

You might be surprised by just how little people truly know about themselves.

This form of wisdom is also referred to as intrapersonal intelligence . Or: the intelligence of the self.

Spend some time in your own company. Meditate. Go for a walk. Journal. Take time to get to know who you are on a deeper and more intrinsic level.

3. Learn to recognize the shades of grey

Those with true wisdom don’t make snap judgments. They take the time to evaluate the situation at hand.

They also don’t see the world in shades of black and white. They understand that there are variations and uncertainty. Learn to recognize the varying shades of grey before you make a decision or offer advice.

Build your own wisdom and intellect by observing how other people learn, react, and grow. Each experience can help you upgrade your mind.

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Ask Any Difference

Intelligence vs Wisdom: Difference and Comparison

Knowledge is the understanding of facts, objects, ideas and much more. Whether it is a memory, reason, inquiry or education, everything is a part of knowledge.

Knowledge can be theoretical as well as practical.

A statement or fact has to satisfy certain criteria to be considered knowledge. It must be believable, true and justifiable.

Knowledge is a power that cannot be taken away. It can be educational, philosophical, physical, environmental and even emotional.

Knowledge does not function as a single unit. It deals with and is related to various aspects and fragments. Two such aspects that identify knowledge as their fundamental basis are Intelligence and Wisdom.

Although both these terms might seem similar, they are quite different.

Intelligence and Wisdom are such characteristics that are correlated with each other. They are both based on gaining and applying knowledge to a certain thing.

In addition to this, intelligence and wisdom are nothing but two operations of our mind. Although they differ in meaning, they are built and grown similarly.

Interestingly, both these characteristics deal with the same complex and powerful situations the human mind is subjected to. Even though they coexist, they do not go hand in hand in every case.

An intelligent person might not be a wise person. The vice-versa is also true.

Intelligence is related to both positive and negative aspects of knowledge, while wisdom is a more positive and spiritual aspect of knowledge that focuses mainly on morality.

Key Takeaways Intelligence refers to a person’s ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge and skills. In contrast, wisdom refers to using knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments. Intelligence is largely innate and can be measured through tests, while wisdom is gained through life experiences and is not easily measurable. While intelligence can help achieve success, wisdom is important for achieving happiness and fulfilment.

Intelligence vs Wisdom

Intelligence is the ability to process information and learn new things quickly, involving cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and logical reasoning. Wisdom is a broader concept encompassing cognitive abilities, experience, intuition, and emotional intelligence.

Intelligence vs Wisdom

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Comparison Table

What is intelligence.

Intelligence has a vast meaning to it. It is an aspect of knowledge that deals with understanding logical, emotional, creative, critical and problematic facts and ideas.

In simpler words, it can be defined as the eagerness to anticipate or gain knowledge and information.

The meaning and understanding of intelligence differ from person to person. People vary from each other in terms of their understanding ability and thinking process.

All of this gives an idea about intelligence. The concepts of intelligence constitute the basic level thoughts of the mind.

The base of intelligence is gaining knowledge easily and instantly without utilising a lot of time. There have always been debates on the correct and real meanings and definitions of intelligence.

Intelligence has various aspects and parts of its own. In a literal sense, intelligence is crafted and utilised in various ways and scenarios.

Human intelligence, Social intelligence, Emotion intelligence, Artificial Intelligence etc., are the terms that deal with various intelligence scenarios.

The difference in views of individuals comes from ideological preferences that affect the aspects of intelligence. The concept of morality is not its part, as intelligence can be progressive and regressive simultaneously.

Someone intelligent focuses on the ups as well as downsides of gaining knowledge.

intelligence

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is an aspect of knowledge which is the ability to gain knowledge about information and facts and act according to it in real-life situations. Unbiased thinking, empathy, ethics, compassion and non-attachment are the main attributes of wisdom.

Just like intelligence, even wisdom has many meanings and definitions. The main idea of wisdom revolves around gaining and applying knowledge benevolently and empathetically.

Moreover, wisdom has a thing in it to reveal the outcomes in several cases.

Earlier, wisdom was considered a godly virtue. The ancient Greeks associated wisdom with their gods and goddesses.

They believed that wisdom is deeper than just gaining knowledge. Even the Romans had the same idea about wisdom.

Wisdom had an important place within Christianity too.

Wisdom is achieved over a long period of experience. It focuses mainly on the spiritual and religious aspects of knowledge in one’s life.

Everyone’s life differs in one way or the other. People have varying experiences within their lifetime, which speaks about their wisdom.

Self-direction is the basis of wisdom. Personal growth is one important term that relates to it. Wisdom is always progressive and acts according to values and morality.

Someone wise understands situations well and has a precious stand in the human world.

Wisdom

Main Differences Between Intelligence and Wisdom

  • Intelligence needs a basic level of understanding, while wisdom needs a complex level of understanding.
  • Intelligence deals with instant knowledge; wisdom deals with longer experiences.
  • Wisdom is time-taking; intelligence is not.
  • Wisdom is deeper and wider as compared to intelligence.
  • Competitiveness and learning are the traits of intelligence. Empathy and compassion are the traits of wisdom.

Difference Between Intelligence and Wisdom

  • https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-27019-007
  • https://www.jstor.org/stable/20014008

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

Wisdom is one of those qualities that is difficult to define—because it encompasses so much—but which people generally recognize when they encounter it. And it is encountered most obviously in the realm of decision-making .

Psychologists tend to agree that wisdom involves an integration of knowledge, experience, and deep understanding, as well as a tolerance for the uncertainties of life. There's an awareness of how things play out over time, and it confers a sense of balance.

  • What Is Wisdom?
  • How to Cultivate Wisdom

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Wise people generally share an optimism that life's problems can be solved and experience a certain amount of calm in facing difficult decisions. Intelligence may be necessary for wisdom, but it definitely isn't sufficient; an ability to see the big picture, a sense of proportion, intellectual humility, and considerable introspection also contribute to its development.

Wisdom can be acquired only through experience, but by itself, experience does not automatically confer wisdom. Researchers are continuing to probe the social, emotional, and cognitive processes that transmute experience into wisdom.

Numerous theories are emerging to try to measure and model wisdom. A leading theory, developed by psychologists Paul Baltes and others, defines wisdom as “expert knowledge in the fundamental pragmatics of life that permits exceptional insight, judgment, and advice about complex and uncertain matters.” That encompasses five key components: rich procedural knowledge, rich factual knowledge, an understanding of different life contexts, an awareness of the relativism of values and priorities, and the ability to recognize and manage uncertainty. These criteria are measured by introducing hypothetical scenarios and assessing what participants would consider or do in those situations.

But there are other theories of wisdom as well. Sociologist Monika Ardelt believes that individuals develop wisdom as personality characteristics encompassing reflection, compassion, and the pursuit of truth. Psychologist Robert Sternberg understands wisdom as balance between oneself and others so that actions are directed at the common good.

Wisdom encompasses cognitive components, such as knowledge and experience, reflective components, or the ability to examine situations and oneself, and prosocial components, meaning benevolence and compassion. Wisdom is also connected to abilities such as perspective-taking , open-mindedness, and intellectual humility.

Knowledge and intelligence are important components of wisdom, but wisdom is deeper than internalizing facts, theories, or processes. Intelligence explains less of the variance in wisdom-related performance than do personality traits, research suggests. Life experience is one of the strongest predictors of wisdom.

Many people believe wisdom comes from advanced age, but the reality is more complex. Some research finds that wisdom rises until the mid-20s and then remains fairly stable until around age 75, when it begins to decline. Overall, old age doesn’t seem to be necessary or sufficient for wisdom —what matters more may be the motivation to pursue its development.

Difficult experiences certainly have the potential for growth—but they don’t automatically confer wisdom. Wisdom is acquired only by learning from the experience. Both research and clinical observation suggest that people who work to process adversity, derive meaning from it, and allow it to catalyze change are the people for whom hardships lead to wisdom .

Culture can influence which traits are considered virtuous and the education that individuals receive. For example, American culture places a stronger emphasis on achievement, while Japanese culture puts more value on perspective-taking. Experience substantially contributes to the development of wisdom, and culture informs which experiences people have and how they handle them.

Wisdom and faith are in some ways intertwined. They both depend on decentering oneself and seeing a broader picture. Religions often emphasize the importance of living a meaningful life, building community and caring for others, and mentorship and scholarly pursuits, all of which pertain to developing wisdom.

wisdom vs intelligence essay

Wisdom largely emerges from reflection on past experience. Wise people incorporate past observations and opinions into a more nuanced style of thinking—considering multiple perspectives rather than black and white options. Being open to new ways of thinking, essentially challenging the status quo, can be a hallmark of wisdom and help to cultivate it.

Balance is also a key component. Wise people generally act on behalf of the common good but also ensure that their own needs are met, striving for harmony among competing demands and goals. Wise people also seek to understand the motives of others, rather than merely judge their behavior. In addition to fostering understanding and respect of others, wisdom can provide a fulfilling sense of purpose.

Wisdom can be gained through a combination of experience and education. Living through experiences such as making weighty professional decisions or resolving painful relationship conflicts provide greater knowledge, and learning to think critically and broaden perspective in an educational setting can help hone the skill as well.

When approaching a decision, open-mindedness, perspective taking, and intellectual humility can all help you arrive at a sound conclusion. These features create a bigger picture, revealing contextual factors that can help identify a fit between the demands of the specific situation and the knowledge you may have about how to handle different situations.

Although wisdom is often perceived as arriving with old age, anyone can work to cultivate the trait right now. Identifying and expressing your values, being honest to yourself and others, focusing on process rather than outcome, learning from mistakes, and believing you have a contribution to make can help you become a wiser person.

Wisdom can take many forms, including practical wisdom (for example Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin), philosophical wisdom (for example Socrates and King Solomon) and benevolent wisdom (for example Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King Jr.). Practical wisdom may resonate with people most, research suggests—visionaries who provide insight and work strategically to solve social problems.

Historic philosophers such as Socrates believed that wise individuals struggled to transmit that quality to others , and that individuals were therefore inherently wise or virtuous. But some scholars today conceive of wisdom as a skill that can be taught, by imparting critical thinking skills and the importance of reflection, perspective, and life experience. 

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Differences Between Intelligence and Wisdom

• Categorized under Grammar , Language , Words | Differences Between Intelligence and Wisdom

Although intelligence and wisdom may appear to be the same; there are observable, qualitative differences between the two.  

These differences are directly linked to the fact that our mind operates on either a lower and upper level. The lower level of the mind is highly rational and predominantly concerned with our immediate environment.  

Contrastingly, the upper level of the mind engages in higher order thinking by interlinking knowledge from mental, emotional and physical experiences. Lower level and higher-level thinking are linked to intelligence and wisdom respectively.

In addition to this; being an intelligent person does not necessarily mean that you are a wise person. Intelligence holds the potential to manifest into wisdom over a long period of time. This substantiates why we tend to associate wisdom with the elderly.  

What is Intelligence?

Intelligence refers to one’s potential to acquire and apply knowledge. Knowledge is the theoretical or practical understanding of a particular subject. Fundamentally, it is an abstract concept because the definition of intelligence is determined by social circumstances and the availability of scientific information. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that intelligence is linked to one’s capabilities more so than what they already know.  

In terms of functioning in society, intelligent people are able to effortlessly pick up new skills, effectively solve problems and comprehend complex ideas. Often, one’s intelligence is tested through a variety of tests. On a societal level, our intelligence is tested throughout our lives and within various bureaucratic institutions such as school and college.  

It is also important to recognize that intelligence is not necessarily linked to the moral grounding of an individual. There are a number of scenarios where people have used their intelligence to break the law or hurt those around them.   An intelligent person can effectively grasp both progressive and regressive bodies of knowledge.  

wisdom vs intelligence essay

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is considerably more difficult to conceptualize than intelligence. There are a variety of unpredictable factors that contribute to an individual being considered wise. One cannot test wisdom by administering an IQ test or any other form of testing. Wisdom encompasses obtaining knowledge through experience and critical judgment. Inevitably, everyone’s experiences are objectively and subjectively different. Thus, wisdom manifests in many different ways.

Characteristically, wisdom is the ability to determine the truth and validity of accumulated knowledge. Moreover, it is usually developed by undergoing negative and positive experiences that develop one’s values and moral compass. Therefore, wisdom is the pairing of one’s accumulated knowledge and their ability to synthesize this knowledge using their moral understanding of the world.  

In relation to the previously mentioned ideas; wisdom has often been linked to spirituality and religion. There is no definitive link; however, wise people often adopt a ‘personal growth’ mentality – a characteristic of most spiritual and religious practices.  

wisdom vs intelligence essay

Similarities Between Intelligence and Wisdom

Both Intelligence and wisdom are centered on the idea of accumulating utilizing knowledge. Furthermore, it’s usually impossible to be exclusively intelligent and exclusively wise. Most people or exhibit characteristics of both within different fields. In addition to this, both intelligence and wisdom are linked to the operation of the mind. The mind is a powerful and complex entity that holds the potential to shift and change depending on social and environmental factors.  

In summary, the similarities between intelligence and wisdom include:

  • They are both related to accumulating and synthesizing knowledge
  • They are both independent concepts, yet they exist together.
  • They both affect how an individual engages with their immediate physical environment.  

Intelligence and wisdom are two characteristics of the mind that inevitably cross paths. It’s unlikely for an intelligent individual to live their entire lifetime without gaining some kind of wisdom. This is especially true because wisdom is an undeniably subjective character trait. The most viable way to determine if someone is wise is to observe their behavior and judge their ability to acknowledge ethical considerations. However, these considerations are continually transforming. Thus, making it impossible to identify the true face of wisdom.

A comparative Table: Intelligence and Wisdom

wisdom vs intelligence essay

Understanding the Differences  

It’s easier to conceptualize the difference between knowledge and wisdom when the concepts are applied to practical examples. Intelligence and wisdom are abstract concepts that are difficult to grasp without understanding their manifestation in the real world.

People will often attribute characteristics of intelligence to successful figures like Bill Gates, the renowned co-founder of Microsoft.   His understanding of his immediate environment inspired him to create a practical IT software that fosters the intellectual property and the potential of other intelligent people. Bill Gates can still be considered a wise individual. His intelligence was the catalyst of his success and his wisdom has allowed him to maintain his success for decades.

On the other hand, wisdom is often displayed by progressive, successful political or religious leaders. These are the kind of leaders who relate to the world by understanding the variation of possibilities and opportunities that contribute to obtaining knowledge. A wise individual is often self-aware and a firm believer in striving for what is right. Many people would describe Nelson Mandela as an architype of wisdom. Wise people have a holistic understanding of their environment and often use their knowledge to enact long-lasting, meaningful change.  

French novelist Marcel Proust encapsulated this idea by saying; “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.”

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Cite APA 7 Monze, L. (2019, October 18). Differences Between Intelligence and Wisdom. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/language/differences-between-intelligence-and-wisdom/. MLA 8 Monze, Luale Joyce. "Differences Between Intelligence and Wisdom." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 18 October, 2019, http://www.differencebetween.net/language/differences-between-intelligence-and-wisdom/.

Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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Wisdom vs. Intelligence: Is There A Difference?

  • Wisdom Vs. Intelligence
  • Examples Of Usage
  • Examples In Sentences

⚡ Quick summary

The words wisdom and intelligence are both often used to refer to a high amount of knowledge and mental quickness. Intelligence commonly refers to a capacity for academic learning and logical thinking, while wisdom commonly refers to life experience and insight into human nature. 

We use the words wisdom and intelligence to describe smart people. But do these clever words mean the same thing, or do they have different meanings?

In this article, we will define wisdom and intelligence , explain how we use them differently, and provide examples of how we typically use these words in sentences. 

wisdom vs. intelligence

The nouns intelligence and wisdom are both often used to describe someone who knows a lot of things and has high mental quickness. Their adjective forms intelligent and wise are also both often used to describe knowledgeable people. However, these words are usually differentiated from each other based on the specific kind of knowledge a person has. 

Intelligence is “a capacity for learning, reasoning, and understanding.” In simpler terms, intelligence often refers to the ability to gain knowledge through academia and study. A scientist who reads a lot of books could be said to have high intelligence, for example.

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Wisdom is “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.” In other words, wisdom often refers to knowledge gained through life experience or socializing with other people. As an example, a veteran soldier who has learned a lot through actual combat could be described as being full of wisdom. 

Intelligence and wisdom are also used to refer to different types of information. Intelligence is often information like military or political secrets. Wisdom, on the other hand, is often sagely advice, teachings, and enlightening sayings. Spiritual or metaphysical knowledge is also more likely to be described as wisdom. 

Examples of using wisdom vs. using intelligence

Intelligence is often gained through academia and other methods of studying. Activities such as doing algebra, designing a bridge, or solving crossword puzzles test a person’s intelligence because they require logical thinking or knowledge a person would typically get from academic study. 

Wisdom is often acquired through life experiences, socialization, or moral dilemmas. Difficult tasks such as raising children or calmly resolving relationship problems often require wisdom to do successfully. Situations like these often demand knowledge and experience a person acquires through their own life challenges or sage advice from someone who has experienced similar problems. 

Examples of wisdom and intelligence in a sentence

Let’s test our knowledge by looking at how we use wisdom and intelligence in sentences.

  • The monk wrote many books and was noted by his peers as having incredible intelligence. 
  • The oracle was famous for her legendary wisdom, and many pilgrims sought out her advice. 
  • Thanks to the intelligence gathered by the spies, the general knew the enemy was planning an ambush.
  • The apprentices meticulously wrote down the old master’s words of wisdom. 
  • The king relied on his scholars for their intelligence and his mother for her wisdom and court experience.

Become a smarty-pants about how distinguish "smart" from "intelligent."

wisdom vs intelligence essay

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Wisdom Vs Intelligence

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One dilemma that has always intrigued us is which prevails between wisdom vs intelligence?

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wisdom vs intelligence essay

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What is it that makes someone wise, or one person wiser than another? I argue that wisdom consists in knowledge of how to live well, and that this knowledge of how to live well is constituted by various further kinds of knowledge. One concern for this view is that knowledge is not needed for wisdom but rather some state short of knowledge, such as having rational or justified beliefs about various topics. Another concern is that the emphasis on knowing how to live well fails to do justice to the ancient tradition of "theoretical wisdom." I address both of these concerns in filling out the account.

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Practical wisdom is the intellectual virtue that enables a person to make reliably good decisions about how, all-things-considered, to live. As such, it is a lofty and important ideal to strive for. It is precisely this loftiness and importance that gives rise to important questions about wisdom: Can real people develop it? If so, how? What is the nature of wisdom as it manifests itself in real people? I argue that we can make headway answering these questions by modeling wisdom on expert skill. Presenting the main argument for this expert skill model of wisdom is the focus of this paper. More specifically, I’ll argue that wisdom is primarily the same kind of epistemic achievement as expert decision-making skill in areas such as firefighting. Acknowledging this helps us see that, and how, real people can develop wisdom. It also helps to resolve philosophical debates about the nature of wisdom. For example, philosophers, including those who think virtue should be modeled on skills, disagree about the extent to which wise people make decisions using intuitions or principled deliberation and reflection. The expert skill model resolves this debate by showing that wisdom includes substantial intuitive and deliberative and reflective abilities.

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If our concern is to help wisdom to flourish in the world, then the central task before us is to transform academia so that it takes up its proper task of seeking and promoting wisdom instead of just acquiring knowledge. Improving knowledge about wisdom is no substitute; nor is the endeavour of searching for the correct definition of wisdom.

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Paul B. Baltes and his colleagues, who are among the most prominent contemporary wisdom researchers, define wisdom as ‘expert knowledge in the domain fundamental pragmatics of life.’ By contrast, this article argues that the definition, operationalization, and measurement of wisdom should not be reduced to expertise and that the term wisdom should be reserved for wise persons rather than expert knowledge. In fact, evidence from their research confirms that Baltes et al. primarily assess expert or intellectual knowledge in the wisdom domain ‘fundamental pragmatics of life’ rather than how wise people are. As an alternative, a model of wisdom is presented that defines, operationalizes, and measures wisdom as an integration of cognitive, reflective, and affective personality characteristics.

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Interest in wisdom in the cognitive sciences, psychology, and education has been paralleled by conceptual confusions about its nature and assessment. To clarify these issues and promote consensus in the field, wisdom researchers met in Toronto in July of 2019, resolving disputes through discussion. Guided by a survey of scientists who study wisdom-related constructs, we established a common wisdom model, observing that empirical approaches to wisdom converge on the morally-grounded application of metacognition to reasoning and problem-solving. After outlining the function of relevant metacognitive and moral processes, we critically evaluate existing empirical approaches to measurement and offer recommendations for best practices. In the subsequent sections, we use the common wisdom model to selectively review evidence about the role of individual differences for development and manifestation of wisdom, approaches to wisdom development and training, as well as cultural, subcultural, ...

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Practical wisdom (hereafter simply ‘wisdom’), which is the understanding required to make reliably good decisions about how we ought to live, is something we all have reason to care about. The importance of wisdom gives rise to questions about its nature: what kind of state is wisdom, how can we develop it, and what is a wise person like? These questions about the nature of wisdom give rise to further questions about proper methods for studying wisdom. Is the study of wisdom the proper subject of philosophy or psychology? How, exactly, can we determine what wisdom is and how we can get it? In this chapter, we give an overview of some prominent philosophical answers to these questions. We begin by distinguishing practical wisdom from theoretical wisdom and wisdom as epistemic humility. Once we have a clearer sense of the target, we address questions of method and argue that producing a plausible and complete account of wisdom will require the tools of both philosophy and empirical psychology. We also discuss the implications this has for prominent wisdom research methods in empirical psychology. We then survey prominent philosophical accounts of the nature of wisdom and end with reflections on the prospects for further interdisciplinary research.

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Intelligence vs Wisdom essay

King David was the most intelligent among the biblical characters. He was called as the “wisest King”. He was considered as such due to his wise judgments, his fair outlook and perspectives. He treats people indiscriminatively and sees things in God’s outlook. He always confine for God’s advice whenever he wants to do something. He waits for God’s go signal before jumping into major events or decisions. It was not until he saw Bathsheba. One day, he saw Bathsheba taking a bath almost naked while he was on his rooftop.

He was immediately encaptivated by her charm and body. He was too weak for the temptation. It was his weakness, women. He was about to approach Bathsheba and ask her to marry him but to his surprise he found out that she was married. Unfortunately, she was married to one of David’s men/ soldiers. Upon knowing this, he immediately ordered his men to bring Bathsheba’s husband into the battle they are in. He planned to kill and frame up her husband. David became triumphant of his plan because Bathsheba’s husband got killed while in battle.

It was the most unwise decision of King David. Yes, she got to marry and own Bathsheba but he can never erase the fact that he killed someone because of his selfish desires. God was never delighted of it. God became so angry that he punished David. His punishment was more than a fine or imprisonment. It is beyond the punishment the world can give for God’s wrath is above everything. He exchanged the anointing and the blessing that God has given to him just because of lustful desires he has for Bathsheba.

His being intelligent was very futile for the very reason that he let his emotions rule over his mind and being. He lacked emotional intelligence; he was too weak to handle the temptation that led him to self- destruction. Yes, he was a man of great wisdom but what he lacked was a sound mind and emotions to weigh things up before doing anything. He got so carried away by his emotions at that very moment that is why he suffered in the end.

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  1. Wisdom VS Intelligence: 7 Key Differences

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  2. Wisdom Vs Intelligence 5E? 17 Most Correct Answers

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  3. (PDF) Wisdom Vs Intelligence

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  4. SOLUTION: Wisdom vs intelligence differences and similarities study

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  2. GOD'S WISDOM VS HUMAN WISDOM By PST PAUL RIKA

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  6. Intelligence-Meaning, Concepts, Definitions / बुद्धि / अर्थ

COMMENTS

  1. Wisdom vs. Intelligence: What's The Difference & Is One Better

    1. Notice where it's coming from. Swart explains that logic tends to "come from your head and is based on gathering facts and making a decision that you know the reasons behind." Wisdom, on the other hand, "is felt usually in the gut or heart and comes with a deep sense of feeling that this is right for you, not just right in general," she says.

  2. Wisdom vs Intelligence (Differences

    on October 20, 2023 Would you rather be wise or intelligent? Most people would say, "both." On this page, we will briefly look at wisdom vs intelligence and what some of the greatest minds have to say about being "smart." Table Of Contents show Are Wisdom and Intelligence the Same?

  3. What Is the Difference Between Intelligence and Wisdom?

    Intelligence is typically associated with innate and unchanging ability or IQ. Wisdom, on the other hand, refers to the qualities of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The focus here is on wisdom. Wisdom can give you an edge or the ability to handle information appropriately. It helps you directly affect outcomes.

  4. Wisdom VS Intelligence: 7 Key Differences

    Table of Contents What Is Wisdom? Wisdom is a characteristic that shows in one's ability to apply knowledge gained through experience to achieve better life outcomes. Knowledge is information, such as facts and processes (how to do things), that is continuously acquired throughout one's lifetime.

  5. Intelligence vs. Wisdom: What's the Difference?

    Intelligence is the capacity to learn, understand, and apply knowledge, while wisdom involves choosing means that are suitable to achieve particular ends. Key Differences Intelligence is often viewed as the quickness in learning and understanding new information.

  6. The difference between intelligence and wisdom—and how to ...

    While intelligence gives you specific utility, wisdom inspires flexible versatility. It provides a more textured lens for interacting with reality, very much changing how you think. Building...

  7. Wisdom vs. Intelligence: Do You Know The Difference?

    Distilling these definitions down to the bare essentials, the key difference would seem to be that wisdom uses the perspective gained from life experiences, whereas intelligence is down to the acquisition of empirical facts and knowledge. Applying the nature/nurture debate is another way to distinguish between the two:

  8. Wisdom vs. Intelligence

    It's more complex and personal. When we draw on wisdom, we're using a rich history of experience to help us make decisions. Intelligence can be improved, but wisdom must be built. As you can see, wisdom and intellect are two different things. More or less, we have them both. Yes, sometimes one is more prominent than the other.

  9. 47

    Summary This chapter reviews both the empirical evidence and the prevalent theoretical positions on the relationship between wisdom and intelligence. In short, wisdom includes aspects of intelligence but is far more than "just" intelligence.

  10. Wisdom vs Intelligence: What's the Difference & Which Is More Important

    July 20, 2020 7 mins read Self-Improvement Is it better to be a wise person or an intelligent one? In other words, when it comes down to wisdom vs intelligence, which is more important? Before I even explore the question, I think it helps to understand the difference between wisdom and intelligence. "Any fool can know. The point is to understand."

  11. Intelligence vs Wisdom: Difference and Comparison

    Intelligence is related to both positive and negative aspects of knowledge, while wisdom is a more positive and spiritual aspect of knowledge that focuses mainly on morality. Key Takeaways Intelligence refers to a person's ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge and skills.

  12. Intelligence vs Wisdom

    It is insight. Also, wisdom requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that universal principles, reason, and knowledge prevail in determining one's actions. Furthermore, wisdom is common sense and good judgment. We acquire knowledge from others—from teachers, parents, books, coaches. Wisdom, however, is self-created.

  13. Wisdom

    Wisdom encompasses cognitive components, such as knowledge and experience, reflective components, or the ability to examine situations and oneself, and prosocial components, meaning benevolence ...

  14. Differences Between Intelligence and Wisdom

    What is Wisdom? Wisdom is considerably more difficult to conceptualize than intelligence. There are a variety of unpredictable factors that contribute to an individual being considered wise. One cannot test wisdom by administering an IQ test or any other form of testing.

  15. Wisdom Vs. Intelligence : The Meaning Of Wisdom And Intelligence

    5 Pages Open Document In society, wisdom and intelligence are often misconceived. People think that the two concepts have the same meaning. Wisdom is "the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgements", according to the Cambridge dictionary.

  16. Wisdom vs. Intelligence: Is There A Difference?

    Word to the wise: you might want to read this article if you want to become more intelligent about how to distinguish "wisdom" from "intelligence."

  17. (PDF) Wisdom Vs Intelligence

    Intelligence can be defined as the ability to acquire and apply all the information you collect. It's a relationship between learning and curiosity that influences the types and quantity of information one acquires. On the other hand, wisdom, which is directly associated with experience, is a more complex ability.

  18. Intelligence and Wisdom Free Essay Example

    Views 3245 Intelligence is an abstract term whose definition depends upon current social values and scientific ideas. Intelligence is the ability to understand and learn from experience or in other words, it is the ability to retain and acquire knowledge known as mental ability.

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    Papers 1; Add Social Profiles (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Wisdom vs Intelligence. University of Oxford, Public ... by Wisdom vs Intelligence. One dilemma that has always intrigued us is which prevails between wisdom vs intelligence? Download (.pdf)-by 30-day views-total views-followers. Related Authors. Robert Waxman, Ph.D. Hina Pendle. Monika ...

  20. Difference Between Intelligence And Wisdom

    Difference Between Intelligence And Wisdom Improved Essays 1045 Words 4 Pages Open Document Essay Sample Check Writing Quality Show More Intelligence Vs. Wisdom Knowledge, information, and outside recourses all contribute to increase someone 's intelligence.

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  22. Intelligence vs Wisdom essay Essay

    Free Essays Intelligence vs Wisdom essay Intelligence vs Wisdom essay Free Essays, Intelligence King David was the most intelligent among the biblical characters. He was called as the "wisest King". He was considered as such due to his wise judgments, his fair outlook and perspectives.

  23. The Role of Wisdom vs Emotional Intelligence in Leadership ...

    Virtues of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is the iconic leader of the 21st century. His strong emotional intelligence and an intellectual career shaped him to be contemporary leader. His leadership qualities were highly appreciated globally. He captured the heart of the kids and the elderly, peasant and policy makers, rich ...