Wisdom and knowledge have quite a bit in common. Both words are primarily used as nouns that are related to learning. However, there are some important differences between the two, which we’ll get to shortly. First, though, let’s take a deeper look at each word.
What does knowledge mean?
Knowledge is defined first as the “acquaintance with facts, truths or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition.”
- It is recorded as knouleche in the Middle English, meaning “to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty.”
Is knowledge the chicken or the egg?
Wisdom is built upon knowledge
- You can be both wise and knowledgeable
- Just because you’re knowledgeable doesn’t mean you’re wise
- How long it takes to achieve wisdom and how you know when you have achieved it is another story
Wisdom is defined as “the state of being wise,” having the power of discernment and judging properly as to what is true or right: possessing discernment, judgement, or discretion”
Wisdom is typically gained from experiences and acquired over time.
- While wisdom and knowledge are synonyms, the other synonyms for each word give more hints at each word’s unique meaning.
It’s all about Perspective
Wisdom involves a healthy dose of perspective and the ability to make sound judgments about a subject while knowledge is simply knowing.
- Anyone can become knowledgeable about something by reading, researching, and memorizing facts. It’s wisdom, however, that requires more understanding and an ability to determine which facts are relevant in certain situations.
- Wisdom is also about knowing when and how to use your knowledge.
