Intelligence vs Wisdom

There is indeed a distinct difference between intelligence and wisdom. A person may be intelligent but does it necessarily also infer that he is wise.

The distinction perhaps is in the understanding of an issue and what it takes to develop it to a higher level of comprehension and then applying that special knowledge and understanding beyond the perimeters of its face value.

The following examples can illustrate and help understand the fundamental difference that separates intelligence from wisdom.

F R I E N D S H I P

There are two types of friendships that many people tend to overlook and be wary of when a friendly relationship grows with the passage of time. True friendship is often described by the term “Best Friend Forever” (BFF). However, behind the façade of close camaraderie, there are considerations that may escape the attention of the friends that is both relevant and important in maintaining and growing cordial friendship. While it is pertinent to avoid friends who spoke ill behind ones back but there is another class of friends who are not only unreliable but are more damaging to a person’s wellbeing. An intelligent person knows and could recognize those friends who are insincere and who can damage his reputation without his knowledge. However avoidance of such friends may be an intelligent thing to do but how should he deal with another friend who carries tales to him and also cautions him about those friends who speak ill behind his back.

As an intelligent person, he obviously may be grateful to the friend who has drawn his attention and to make him wary of insincere friends. Perhaps his sense of caution may even lead him to conduct discreet enquiries to ensure that what he is being told is real and not purely gossips or even an attempt by the informer to tarnish his relationship with that particular friend. His discovery will with his sense of good judgement lead him to make a prudent decision on the action to be taken in the circumstances.

However, a wise person would give this matter further thought and his reaction could simply be a decision not to take the informer’s warnings lightly pending investigation and more importantly to also keep a distance from this person who has uncannily come forward to forewarn him. The reason for this is that a wise person knows that a sincere and genuine friend will also stand ready to protect his interests and his wellbeing. It is not a case of “if he can carry tales about others to me, he can do likewise with me to others too”. The main issue here is a deeper understanding of human behaviors and the rudiments of what it takes to be objective.

When a friend carries negative information or gossips to another he is actually causing the person to become concern or even become upset. Bringing such news or gossips to make a good friend unhappy cannot be regarded as a caring action. The informer should instead be protecting the interest of his friend and quell the gossips while defending his friend which is the correct and appropriate thing to do.

Only a person of wisdom would have the presence of mind to react positively and judiciously in such a circumstance and keep his distance from those who carry negative vibes to him.

L O V E – S e l f L o v e

Understanding that it is important to love oneself first in order to be able to take care of the wellbeing of the body before venturing to love others like family members, siblings or friends is a basic requirement to good living.

An intelligent person can fully comprehend the necessity for self-love first but a wise person will also see it from a different angle, perspective and perhaps provide a better insight into this physiology.

A wise man is able to reason out that one must have self-love first is because it is that “self” that will be accompanying him for the rest of his life and of necessity he has to love that “self” or there will be little meaning in loving others when one cannot even learn to love himself first and to look after that “self”.

L I F E – I s M e a n I n g l e s s a n d I s S h o r t

People often lament that “Life has no Meaning” but do they really believe in this statement or it is because their struggles for a better life has been plagued by issues and problems that they were not able to handle. Sometimes people grapple with many things in their lives especially relationships and financial issues that seem to elude their comprehension or ability to take control and overcome.

An intelligent person will search for answers and seek solutions that can placate his drive for resolution. However, a wise person reacts differently and considers that it is in fact “Life” that is giving him the opportunity to give “Meaning” to it and for which he is looking for its sense and purpose. Therefore what meaning that a person would like to attribute to that “LIFE” is the real issue in order to be able to live the life that he really wants for himself and for his loved ones.

Where others consider that “Life is Short” it often means that they are experiencing sadness when seeing friends and younger persons pass on at an early age. Intelligence enables the person to think of changing his lifestyle to improve upon health issues for longevity where existence hinges on “Health is Wealth. Proper food and physical exercises are amongst some pursuits for many but discipline is perhaps more crucial and a bit harder to comply.

A wise man will seek solutions beyond physical health issues but look further into mental health. Many health problems do stem from stress, anxiety and worries that are the main causes of strokes and heart attacks too besides poor physical health. The root cause of poor mental health has to be established and eradicated rather than fixing the problem when it arrives. The ability to “let go” of these burdens is key to good mental health. When issues present themselves, a good stance is tell oneself that “it is not important” so that the physiology of good nature will not be allowed to be dragged into the web of unpleasantness.

K N O W L E D G E – is power only if it is shared

When knowledge is gathered and stored in the confines of the brain, it can remain dormant there and perhaps after some lapse of time, it will gradually dissipate and the information is then lost and requires relearning.

An intelligent person knows that knowledge has no power if it is not shared and used. It is in the use of that knowledge that gives the power of understanding and effective that the knowledge carries.

On the other hand the wise person not only is aware that knowledge is the vehicle of power when its application is being shared. However, he also takes cognizance that when intrinsic values are added to the shared knowledge wisdom is manifested. So a person can be called a wise man when he is able to attach values to the knowledge that is being used and shared.