What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?

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   Vellurposted 11 years ago

   What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?

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   cat on a soapboxposted 11 years ago

   Although both can be used interchangeably, knowledge comes from academic study or experience. Wisdom is knowing how to utilize that knowledge to make it meaningful in life.

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, that is true.

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   Victoria Lynnposted 11 years ago

   Neat question, Vellur. I think the simplest answer is that knowledge is the accumulation of what a person learns (history, facts, etc . . . ) over time, while wisdom is a another type of knowing developed through knowledge and/or experiences. A person can have a lot of knowledge through simply learning things but have little wisdom if he or she doesn't learn from experiences and actions. A person can acquire knowledge in life and through college, while wisdom can be acquired through experiences, often without formal education. Knowledge is simply knowledge without wisdom. Wisdom is discerning, as it can take knowledge or experiences and learn from them. A person can share facts through knowledge but advice through wisdom.

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said, advice does need wisdom.

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   WalterPoonposted 11 years ago

   Knowledge is just a collection of facts and information. Wisdom is knowing how to apply those facts to solve daily problems. You can have knowledge without wisdom; so also can you can have wisdom without knowledge. Many successful people, knowing that they do not have the knowledge, have the wisdom to engage those who do.

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for answering.

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   ctnahdaposted 11 years ago

   Knowledge is something that you understand of or information on a particular subjects which you gain through observations,Q&A sessions,experiences either known by one person or by people generally. Wisdom is the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments.
   
   For me, wisdom without knowledge is useless and vise versa.In order to be wise,you need to have knowledge.

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      WalterPoonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      QUOTE: "For me, wisdom without knowledge is useless and vise versa.In order to be wise,you need to have knowledge."
      
      I beg to differ. Many are the wise men who don't have knowledge but knew how to engage people who have them. Henry Ford, for example.

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      ctnahdaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry Walter,I did a mistake when I said that, it suppose to be "wisdom without knowledge is useless and vise versa,you need to have both".

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you ctnahda for answering.
      
      Walter Poon I totally agree with you.

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   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   Knowledge gives us understanding of how the world works and some power to control what will happen. It is an understanding of specific causes and effects. It gives us answers to questions such as: How does X work? Why does Y happen? What will happen if I do Z?
   
   Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge for the benefit of all, including oneself and others, the ability to see cause and effect (karma) and choose actions that will cause only beneficial and harmless effects.
   
   Knowledge is ethically neutral - it can give us power to do good or harm. Wisdom is ethically positive. For example, knowledge of how to build a bomb can be used for harm (as in war or terrorism), or in digging a tunnel, or in tracking parts that can be used to create a bomb to prevent terrorism. The choice to use that knowledge beneficially and harmlessly is wisdom.

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh yes, I totally agree.

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   tirelesstravelerposted 11 years ago

   I agree with everyone else.  You can have all sorts of knowledge and still do very silly things.  Wisdom allows you to use what you know in a productive manner,

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How true we do silly things even though we have knowledge.

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   stanwshuraposted 11 years ago

   Knowledge is the acquiring of facts, information, technical and/or artistic facility and/or proficiency and skill refinement.
   
   Wisdom is the acquisition of experience which informs and provides contextual breadth and the gestalt and judgment most often acquired by learning from mistakes. 
   
   
   Knowledge often comes in the form of knowing the what, where and when things have happened or like to act in a certain fashion (the rules of 18th century 4-part harmony, for example). 
   
   Wisdom has more to do with knowing when, if and why to do something, for example, when to break those precious rules of classical musical composition.
   
   The mathematical/arithmetic fact that 1 + 1 = 2  is knowledge. 
   
   Wisdom is knowing that there are many aspects of life that are not NEARLY so simple.

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very true, many aspects in life are not that simple.

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   athurionposted 11 years ago

   Knowledge:  Knows how to destroy the world
   
   Wisdom:  Never thinks of destroying the world

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      Victoria Lynnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I love this response!

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      athurionposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you mam

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      Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Another great answer.

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    vocalcoachposted 11 years ago

    I remember this quote from years ago by Alfred Lord Tennyson - ‘Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.’   I recently read that knowledge is an accumulation of facts and various information.  Einstein said "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the attempt to acquire it."
    
    This is a good and thought-provoking question.  You have some excellent answers.

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       Victoria Lynnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       This is a good answer, too!

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Great quote and a great answer.

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    alancaster149posted 11 years ago

    There's no interchangeability between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is what the first four letters means, you know it or you don't. There are some around who use guesswork or hearsay as a subsitute for knowledge, and sometimes they're accredited as being wise.
    Lets' have an example: British people are reserved and cold. That's acquired wisdom you can get from anyone who's either a) never been here, or b) been here and never mixed with the locals (By local I don't mean 'Hooray Henries' in bars who'll give you a load of 'guff' about the rest of us).
    Knowledge: a great number of Yanks and other assorted nationalities have been here as guests of ordinary people, and mixed with their friends/neighbours. They usually come away with the opinion that us Brits are a lot warmer than 'acquired wisdom' will allow.

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       tsmogposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Awesome read, sharing with a bow to knight of wisdom, this I know . . . I ponder, this? If I drank a beer, while reading of Inklings drinking, of conversations in a pub, did I not enjoy a beer with mentors who, too, are friends? Hello! Alan of Caster

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for writing and answering my question in detail with examples.

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       alancaster149posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       It's Alan Lancaster, or A. Lancaster [A Lan-caster]. My lot originally started off in the north west and migrated across England to East Anglia, then up to North Yorkshire. (Lancaster's not a very Yorkshire name, you'd guess)

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       tsmogposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I ask forgiveness Alan Lancaster. Not respectful may be presumed, of memory and being confused at times. A coincidence of oddity only, I lived once at Palmdale, California. The neighboring city is Lancaster, California. Home to Boeing & NASA too.

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    tsmogposted 11 years ago

    As stated previously, I declare today a holiday, therefore jovial is the theme. I defer to the wisdom of Forrest of the last being Gump. He learned this from his mom, and Gene Simmons shares "mom" is the source of all inspiration, really he said so in an interview with a nod and a smile. Any hoot as Athena's owl shares now and then, Forrest's mom said, ""stupid is as stupid does," and I only ponder if wisdom or knowledge? Maybe a bit more of a byte.
    
    Looking closer this observer sees:
    1) There is credibility being from Forrest's mom. Who can deny the wisdom and knowledge of mom?
    2) Seems Forrest repeated this to others and always attributing that, which is being pondered not knowing if wise or a known, with grace being from his mom. Some say maybe an attribute of respect.
    3) Well, a bit and a byte more, since he did say that to others, then certainty says without uncertainty that was an interaction at the social level being sociable.
    4) A question arises as I ponder how many times did Forrest say that of his mom in that film of his life? Then I ponder of being inspiration having an affect leading to an effect with the audience of that film. I guess we could say we can count those times Forrest said those words making it measurable.
    5) Ponder? Do those words from a mom to a son repeated often in a film of that son, even though fictional, having truths bear the condition of repeatable? I know I cannot count how many times I have repeated that quote of Forrest's Mom. How about you or many?
    
    If you feel all those are possible or at minimum probable then the theory shared by WOMMA seems to bear both wisdom and knowledge. All of the criteria regarding marketing is met with their theme.
    
    However, does that answer the question proposed - What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Well, honestly I do not know for sure, yet I did declare today a holiday and jovial being the theme.
    
    Yet, seeking integrity of an answer I would share this of difference anyway, of my perspective, which may change, since change is constant, and that is that difference is the not of between, it is of betwixt too. So, with today declared a holiday, and jovial a theme I repeat the question and will answer honestly.
    
    What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? The betwixt of stuff shares with me it is "and."
    
    Next, thank you Vellur for a gift of a moment of ponder and wondering.
    
    Mitch

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for taking the time to answer my question in detail.

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       tsmogposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You are welcome. Sharing I see a wise person, wiser than I at least with comments. I see a respectful reply to all comments, of yourself, Vellur. Wise, indeed, from my perspective, I hope to learn from that knowledge you have imparted. Tim

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    Lor's Storiesposted 11 years ago

    Anyone who goes to school can gain knowledge.
    Wisdom is seeking truth whether it be through knowledge or a deeper understanding of oneself.
    Wisdom takes knowledge to a higher plane.
    Not by abusing it but rather by using it for the good of others or for yourself.
    You can have plenty of knowledge on anything but wisdom is greater because it takes thought.
    I think knowledge is wonderful as long as you know how to use it.
    That's where wisdom comes in.

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, as you say wisdom needs thought, thank you,

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    Beata Stasakposted 11 years ago

    You are born as a thirsty sponge ready to soak all the knowledge possible from your surrounding environment, getting older teaches you to test this knowledge and by countless practice you learn to use it to your advantage to grow and excel in your area of expertise, Once old enough to slow down and reflect on the past experience, your knowledge transforms to wisdom, just like sand, water and cement  are mixed together into the right consistence, left to harden and make the base on which a house will once stand.

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Beautifully explained, thank you.

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    StanTheLifeguardposted 11 years ago

    Wife: "Honey, does this dress make me look big around the bottom?" Knowledge is knowing that maybe it does make her look big, but wisdom, or fear I suppose, tells you to say "No honey, you look prettier than the say I met you."

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Aha!! that is wisdom indeed!!

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    sginteractive4posted 11 years ago

    Knowledge is information of which someone is aware.it is also used to mean the understanding of a subject.
    Wisdom is the ability to make correct judgments and decisions. It is an intangible quality gained  through experience.

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       sginteractive4 yes that is right. I agree with you.

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    SeanBrookposted 11 years ago

    As I see it wisdom is the truth (the real truth) and the discernment to see that truth while knowledge  is  the personal experience with that truth.

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    Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

    Knowledge is know a lot of information. Wisdom is knowing how to apply the information you have learned from books along with your life experiences and presenting them in a mature manner.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Got called away before finishing or proofing this answer. No need for me to offer any additional information. Several good answers have been posted.

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Very well said. Thank you.

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    taburkettposted 11 years ago

    perception - followed by a flip of the coin.

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    MysticMoonlightposted 11 years ago

    Great question. Knowledge is something that you seek and gain, purposely. Wisdom is something gained by trial and error, often accidently, but worth it in the end.

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    Savio Dawsonposted 11 years ago

    I had read this somewhere:
    
    Knowledge is knowing Tomato is a fruit but
    
    Wisdom is knowing not to use tomato in a fruit salad..

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       Vellurposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Well said!!! How very true.

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    erorantesposted 11 years ago

    Knowledge is what you already know. And wisdom is the process of what you know. What ever memory  you process. In your brain have to come out in a rational speech form. If the speech is not rational . You do not have a wisdom.

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