Intelligence vs. Wisdom: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Intelligence is the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge; wisdom is the insightful application of knowledge based on experience and judgment.
Key Differences
Intelligence involves the capacity to acquire, understand, and use information effectively. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the judicious and thoughtful application of knowledge, often based on a deep understanding of life and people.
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Nov 17, 2023
Intelligence is often considered innate and can be developed through learning and education. Wisdom is generally acquired through life experiences, reflection, and learning from one’s actions and those of others.
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Intelligence enables problem-solving, analysis, and quick learning. Wisdom provides deeper insight, good judgment, and the ability to make sound decisions, especially in complex or uncertain situations.
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Intelligence is often measured through IQ tests and academic achievements. Wisdom, however, is more subjective and is recognized through a person’s behavior, decision-making, and understanding of life.
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Nov 17, 2023
Intelligence is crucial for academic and professional success. Wisdom plays a key role in personal growth, relationships, and ethical conduct, often contributing to a fulfilling life.
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Nov 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Capacity to learn and understand
Insightful application of knowledge
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Key Attributes
Learning, analysis, problem-solving
Judgment, insight, decision-making
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Measurement
IQ tests, academic performance
Recognized through actions and decisions
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Role in Life
Academic and professional success
Personal growth, ethical conduct
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Intelligence and Wisdom Definitions
Intelligence
Capacity for learning, reasoning, and understanding.
His intelligence allowed him to solve complex mathematical problems easily.
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Wisdom
Knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment.
Her wisdom guided her to make ethical choices in her career.
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Intelligence
Information gathering and analysis, especially in strategic contexts.
The agency focused on intelligence gathering to ensure national security.
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Wisdom
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting.
Wisdom led him to value long-term relationships over short-term gains.
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Intelligence
Quickness of understanding and mental acuity.
Her intelligence shone through in her ability to grasp abstract concepts.
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Wisdom
The soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience and knowledge.
His wisdom in financial matters was well respected.
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Intelligence
The ability to adapt to new situations using past knowledge.
His intelligence was crucial in adapting to technological changes in his field.
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Wisdom
The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
Her wisdom was reflected in her balanced approach to conflict resolution.
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Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
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Wisdom
Insightful understanding of people and situations.
His wisdom in understanding complex social dynamics was remarkable.
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Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
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Wisdom
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
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Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
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Wisdom
Common sense; good judgment
"It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things" (Henry David Thoreau).
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Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
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Wisdom
The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge
"In those homely sayings was couched the collective wisdom of generations" (Maya Angelou).
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Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
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Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
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Wisdom
(uncountable) An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
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Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
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Wisdom
The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations from that in which the knowledge was gained.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
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Wisdom
The ability to make a decision based on the combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding.
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Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
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Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
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Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
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Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
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Wisdom
The quality of being wise; knowledge, and the capacity to make due use of it; knowledge of the best ends and the best means; discernment and judgment; discretion; sagacity; skill; dexterity.
We speak also not in wise words of man's wisdom, but in the doctrine of the spirit.
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
It is hoped that our rulers will act with dignity and wisdom that they will yield everything to reason, and refuse everything to force.
Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
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Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
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Wisdom
The results of wise judgments; scientific or practical truth; acquired knowledge; erudition.
Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one,Have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge dwellsIn heads replete with thoughts of other men;Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own.Knowledge, a rude, unprofitable mass,The mere materials with which wisdom builds,Till smoothed, and squared, and fitted to its place,Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich.Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
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Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
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Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
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Wisdom
The trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight
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Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
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Wisdom
Ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
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Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
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Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
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Wisdom
An Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC
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Intelligence
The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
Her intelligence was evident in her quick mastery of new languages.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can someone be wise but not highly intelligent?
Yes, wisdom and intelligence are independent qualities.
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Is wisdom dependent on age?
While often associated with age, wisdom can be found at any age.
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Is intelligence the same as being smart?
Intelligence is a component of being smart, focusing on learning and understanding.
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Can wisdom be taught?
Wisdom is more often gained through experience than taught.
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Is academic success a sign of intelligence?
Often, but intelligence can manifest in various ways beyond academics.
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Do life experiences always lead to wisdom?
Not always; it depends on the individual's reflection and learning.
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Can wisdom be measured like intelligence?
Wisdom is challenging to measure quantitatively, as it is more subjective and context-dependent.
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Is intelligence measurable?
Intelligence can be measured to some extent through IQ tests.
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Are intelligence and wisdom mutually exclusive?
No, they can coexist but are distinct qualities.
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Can wisdom be found in young people?
Yes, wisdom can be present regardless of age.
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Do intelligent people always make wise decisions?
Not necessarily; wisdom involves judgment that may not always accompany intelligence.
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Can intelligence vary across different domains, such as artistic or mathematical intelligence?
Yes, there are multiple types of intelligence, including artistic, mathematical, and interpersonal intelligence.
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Can wisdom change over time?
Yes, wisdom can evolve with new experiences and insights.
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Can wisdom be applied to personal and societal challenges?
Yes, wisdom can be applied to navigate personal dilemmas and contribute to solving broader societal problems by making ethical and balanced decisions.
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Does intelligence guarantee success?
Intelligence contributes to success but doesn't guarantee it.
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What is the relationship between intelligence and problem-solving?
Intelligence plays a crucial role in problem-solving, as it involves the ability to analyze situations and find solutions.
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Is wisdom a quality that grows with experience and reflection?
Yes, wisdom often develops and deepens with life experiences, reflection, and learning from both successes and failures.
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Is wisdom culturally influenced?
Yes, cultural norms and values can influence the definition and expression of wisdom.
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Is intelligence solely a cognitive function, or can it involve emotional aspects too?
Intelligence can involve both cognitive and emotional aspects, as emotional intelligence demonstrates.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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