⚡ 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.
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.
