Intelligence vs. Wisdom

Difference Between Intelligence and Wisdom

The difference between Intelligence and wisdom in a nutshell are as follows:

Intelligence refers to one’s ability to acquire and apply knowledge; on the other hand, Wisdom is defined as the accumulation of knowledge that grants a person the ability to assess what is true, right, lasting, and important. It is the source of “common sense” and provides a person insight.

To further highlight the differences between the two, here is a breakdown of their own characteristics:

  1. Intelligence refers to the number of information one accumulates in the brain. Wisdom is the intelligence one acquires in the process of learning from our mistakes and experiences.
  2. Intelligence is perceived to be the basis of all things done flawlessly or impeccably. Wisdom is construed as intelligence in personal experience one usually acquires after one has already committed the mistake.
  3. Intelligence is knowledge one earns without doing anything wrong, whereas Wisdom happens when one learns from the mistakes of their past.
  4. Wisdom is intelligence put to practical use; Intelligence may or may not be put to good use.
  5. If an individual is said to be highly intelligent but does not learn from their mistakes, then this person may not be considered as wise. A man may be wise if he learns from his mistakes and voids repeating the same mistake with knowledge of the possible effects and consequences. One can then assume that a man may be wise and intelligent at the same time, but a man may be intelligent but unwise.
  6. Intelligence can be learned, Wisdom cannot.