On Wisdom and Intelligence

Dichotomy- War and Peace 

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom" 

                                                  - Thomas Jefferson

Here are my ramblings about wisdom and intelligence 

Wisdom is the ability to look at the whole picture and intelligence is about going in to the  details.Wisdom is a function of the right side of the brain. It has a feeling of wholeness and completeness to it. It has peace and serenity.

Intelligence on the other hand, is a function of left side of the brain. About details. Going in to the problem. It has aggression, and  energy. 

Wisdom asks basic questions. Intelligence asks secondary and tertiary level questions. Intelligent persons will argue what is better diet coke or regular coke. Wise person will say “ what is the point”. An intelligent person will argue with an another intelligent person about which  religion is right but a wise person will just smile and say “ Religion? What religion?”

Art is equivalent to wisdom and science to intelligence. 

There is a set path to intelligence ( go to college) but there is no set path to wisdom ( you cannot be a Picasso by  just going to an art school).

All the leading experts in a field have a sense of wisdom about their field. 

To be intelligent , you have to work hard. Its a physical labour.To be wise, you have to face your fears and ego. 

Intelligence builds ego. Wisdom Kills ego. If you have ego, you can never be wise.The hardest kind of learning is the one when your ego is at stake and thats when you get wisdom. Getting wisdom is like being born again. Your old ego has to die and new has to be born. Old person has to metaphorically die. You can never be two persons at the same time.

Culture rewards intelligence because it is easy to measure. Wisdom on the other hand is not a measurable entity. As you can not  measure wisdom, you cannot test it.

Wisdom is a is way of looking at the world. Intelligence is a way of doing things. 

Intelligence is common. Wisdom is a rarity.

Wisdom is about what to do , intelligence is about how to do it.

Good leaders have wisdom. Good managers have intelligence.

Intelligence is arrogant. Wisdom is humble. Intelligence is shiny. Wisdom appears dull. Intelligence has a youthful vibe. Wisdom has maturity.