Wisdom: Definition, Benefits, & Quotes​

By Beth Birenbaum, MPH​

Learn about the complex concept of wisdom, its benefits for well-being and society, and how we can develop more of it.​

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As we navigate our daily problems and life demands, wisdom may not be something we give much thought to. But maybe we should. Wisdom leads to better decision making, personal growth, and increased well-being. And it can even improve human welfare overall (Zhang et al., 2023).

​But what exactly is wisdom, and what makes someone wise?

So often I still see myself behaving unwisely, such as reacting impulsively to a person or situation. Or making the same mistake yet again. (When will I learn?!) But then there are times when I think maybe I’m finally becoming slightly wiser. For example, I’ve become much more adept at picking an appropriate time to have a “discussion” with my husband. Or letting the small stuff go in all relationships.

Wisdom is a complex and nuanced concept. It doesn't necessarily grow on a linear path, and some researchers believe it can depend on the situation. People can be wise in one area of life but not another (Zhang et al., 2023). In this article, we’ll explore what makes someone wise, how wisdom helps us, and things we can do to increase it.

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What Is Wisdom? (A Definition)​

Wisdom isn’t so easy to define. Researchers still debate its meaning and haven’t agreed on a universal definition. But most would agree that wisdom goes beyond knowledge or information. It involves a grasp of life's complexities, nuances, and interconnectedness. It's the ability to see the bigger picture, the underlying patterns, and the consequences of choices.

According to one study, the development of wisdom depends upon six interrelated factors (Brown, 2004):
​

• Self-knowledge: This component involves understanding your strengths and weaknesses and having a sense of purpose, a clear understanding of your morals and ethics, and the ability to be authentic regardless of circumstances. In other words, it’s about being true to yourself.
• Understanding of others: Wisdom is also about emotional intelligence. It involves understanding the feelings and perspectives of others and making decisions that consider the well-being of everyone involved. The ability to see things from multiple perspectives, and to take into account the needs and feelings of others, is essential for making wise decisions that benefit not just ourselves but also the communities we are part of.
• Sound judgment: Wisdom is about seeing beyond the surface and recognizing the complexity of situations. It's the ability to analyze situations from multiple perspectives, identify the core issues, consider consequences, and make sound decisions based on that understanding.
• Life knowledge: While not exclusive to older people, wisdom often accrues through experience, both positive and negative. This involves reflecting on past events, learning from mistakes, and understanding the realities of life.
• Life skills: Wisdom is not just theoretical; it involves the practical application of knowledge and insights to navigate real-world challenges. This means the ability to balance multiple roles, manage your time and prioritize effectively, handle daily issues, overcome barriers, and adapt to new challenges. 
• Willingness to learn: A wise person recognizes the limitations of their own knowledge and understanding and is open to learning and growing throughout their life. This includes a sense of humility and the willingness to reconsider their views in light of new information.​

Opposite of Wisdom​

Do you know someone who continues to make the same mistakes over and over? Who doesn’t seem self-aware and never reflects on their actions? Perhaps they always blame others when something doesn’t go well. This is the opposite of wisdom.

While the meaning of the opposite of wisdom can depend on which aspect you’re talking about, it’s generally considered to be foolishness and a lack of good judgment. It’s not learning from your mistakes. 

Researcher Jeremy Sherman refers to the opposite of wisdom as rationalization with a bit of narcissism. It’s the tendency to rationalize all of your behavior, no matter what (Sherman, 2023).​

Why Is Wisdom Important?

Wisdom is important because of its benefits both for the wise person and for society (Jeste et al., 2019). First, on a personal level, “research suggests that wisdom is linked to better overall health, well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, and resilience” (Jeste & Lee, 2019). In addition, studies show that wisdom contributes more to well-being than intelligence and reasoning abilities do (Grossman et al., 2013). That may be partly because wise choices often lead to better outcomes, both personally and professionally. 

Some studies suggest that wisdom is associated with a longer life. The positive effects of wise decision-making, emotion regulation, and healthy lifestyle choices may contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life.

Because wisdom includes compassion, concern for others, and ethical choices, it’s also important for society. And because wisdom includes ethical decision-making and the ability to see situations from the perspective of others, it fosters fair and effective leadership. By balancing knowledge with understanding, wisdom prevents impulsive choices and cultivates long-term vision, paving the way for a more resilient and thriving future for all.

Benefits of Wisdom

Wisdom has benefits both for our individual lives and for our communities. These include:

For the individual:
​

• Improved decision making: Wisdom helps us see beyond immediate consequences and consider the long-term implications of our choices. This leads to better decisions in our personal and professional lives, reducing stress and regret.
• Greater clarity and understanding: Wise people develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. This clarity helps navigate complex situations with more grace and effectiveness.
• Enhanced adaptability and resilience: Life throws curveballs, and wisdom equips us to handle them better. By navigating challenges with perspective and a sense of calm, we build resilience and adaptability, bouncing back from difficulties with greater ease.
• Inner peace and well-being: Living with wisdom often leads to a deeper sense of contentment and fulfillment. By making sound decisions, understanding ourselves and others, and navigating life's complexities with grace, we experience a greater sense of inner peace and well-being.
• Personal growth: Wisdom often comes with self-awareness and a continuous pursuit of self-improvement. Wise individuals are open to new experiences, learning, and personal growth, which can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

For communities:
​

• Compassion and empathy: Wisdom cultivates a deeper understanding of the human experience, leading to greater compassion and empathy for others. This fosters stronger relationships and builds a more supportive community.
• Effective leadership: Wise leaders inspire and motivate others, make sound decisions, and foster collaboration. This can lead to stronger communities and organizations.
• Conflict resolution: Wisdom involves the ability to see different perspectives and find common ground. With wisdom, we become skilled at resolving conflicts and promoting understanding among people with diverse viewpoints. This can contribute to better interpersonal relationships and a more peaceful community.
• Inspiration: Wise individuals serve as role models and mentors, inspiring others to live with purpose and integrity, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.

Examples of Wisdom

• A parent learning to let go and allow their child to make their own mistakes.
• An entrepreneur understanding the importance of building relationships over chasing immediate profits.
• Taking a deep breath, acknowledging your anger, and choosing to calmly address the situation later when a colleague makes a rude remark.
• Graciously declining a presentation opportunity because you know you’re not a natural public speaker, choosing to focus instead on areas where you excel.
• Forgiving someone who hurt you, not because they deserve it but for your own peace of mind.
• Offering a helping hand to someone in need, even if it means inconveniencing yourself slightly.
• Actively listening to someone with a different perspective, trying to see things from their point of view.
• Savoring the joy of a shared meal with loved ones instead of constantly checking your phone.
• Taking calculated risks instead of letting fear paralyze you.
• Embracing change and unexpected turns in life, seeing them as opportunities for growth.
• Making ethical choices even when it's difficult or unpopular.

Wisdom vs. Knowledge and Understanding​

Knowledge is about the accumulation of information and facts. It’s the “what” of knowing things. Developing understanding takes this to the next level. It’s grasping the meaning and significance of what you know. It involves connecting the information, seeing relationships, and drawing conclusions. It’s the “why” and “how” of what you know and the ability to see how things work. 

Wisdom is the ability to apply your knowledge and understanding in order to cultivate sound judgment, make good decisions, and create a meaningful life. While knowledge and understanding can be measured with tests, wisdom is often seen only through the outcomes of our behavior, our responses to situations, or our life choices. And sometimes wisdom can only be seen years later, such as in someone’s overall contribution to society (Zhang et al., 2023). For example, in 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “Beyond Vietnam” speech, in which he condemned the Vietnam War. It was widely criticized at the time. However, it is now viewed as one of the most important speeches of the 20th century and a turning point in the war.  

While knowledge and understanding are components of wisdom, wisdom encompasses a deeper and more practical dimension that involves making choices that contribute to well-being and the greater good. It incorporates ethical considerations, emotional intelligence, and practical experience to guide actions and choices.​

Does Wisdom Come With Age?

The answer to this is: sometimes. 

Because knowledge and life experiences contribute to wisdom, age is a factor. However, you have to reflect on your experiences and learn from them to gain wisdom, which doesn’t come automatically with age. 

In addition, not all experiences contribute equally to wisdom. Repetitive routines or sheltered lives might offer limited opportunities for learning and growth. It's more about the quality and depth of experiences than simply the quantity. It’s also possible to become less wise with age if you become less open-minded (Dong et al., 2023).  

Some researchers argue that wisdom can be developed at any age after adolescence (Zhang et al., 2023). Some young people can be remarkably wise due to their natural curiosity, open-mindedness, and willingness to learn and reflect.

Regardless of age, maintaining an open mind and a willingness to learn from new experiences is crucial for developing wisdom. Clinging to old beliefs and refusing to adapt can hinder growth and prevent the acquisition of new perspectives.

How to Gain Wisdom

Put simply, we develop wisdom by learning from life. This involves two main components: reflection/integration and application (Brown, 2004). 

Reflection involves finding meaning from experiences. We do this by analyzing information gained through experiences and then connecting and integrating this new information with what we already know. Take time to reflect on your successes and failures, learn from your mistakes, and grow as a person. 

But change and growth only occur if you apply this new knowledge through action. This might mean revising your opinion on something, considering new options, changing your way of thinking, or making a decision (Brown, 2004).

Other things that help us gain wisdom are:
​

• Lifelong learning: Be curious, ask questions, and seek out new knowledge and experiences.
• Empathy: Develop your ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
• Mindfulness: Be present in the moment, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, and make conscious choices.
• Wise mentors: Seek out the guidance of individuals you admire for their wisdom and experience.

Quotes on Wisdom

• “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." — Socrates
  
• "Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." — Jimi Hendrix
  
• “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” — Carl Jung
  
• "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it." — Albert Einstein
  
• "It is what we know already that often prevents us from learning." — Claude Bernard
  
• “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself.” — Rumi
  
• "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." — Aristotle
  
• “We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom.” — E. O. Wilson
  
• "Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something." — Plato
  
• “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.” — Oscar Wilde
  

Video: Wisdom

Articles Related to Wisdom

​Want to learn more? Check out these articles:

• Self-Affirmations: Definition, 195 Examples, & Lists
• Living Simply: What Does It Mean and How to Do It
• Color Meanings for Every Color in the Rainbow
• False Positivity: Definition, Examples, & Explanation
• ​Flow State: Definition and Tips to Get Into Flow​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Books Related to Wisdom

If you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books that you might be interested in.

• The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy)
• A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts
• The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types

Final Thoughts on Wisdom​

Wisdom can be a compass that guides us through the complexities of decision making and interpersonal relationships. It is not merely a collection of knowledge but a dynamic interplay of experience, empathy, and discernment. 

In addition, it’s those life complexities and challenges that lead to the development of wisdom. So the next time you’re dealing with a difficult situation or a big change, take some time to reflect on what you’ve discovered about yourself and about life. Remind yourself that by adapting and learning from these experiences, you’re cultivating wisdom. And the wisdom you’ve gained makes you better equipped to handle the next big thing life throws at you.​

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References

• Brown, S. C. (2004). Learning across the campus: How college facilitates the development of wisdom. Journal of College Student Development, 45(2), 134–148.
• Dong, M., Weststrate, N. M., & Fournier, M. A. (2023). Thirty years of psychological wisdom research: What we know about the correlates of an ancient concept. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(4), 778–811.
• Grossmann, I., Na, J., Varnum, M. E., Kitayama, S., & Nisbett, R. E. (2013). A route to well-being: intelligence versus wise reasoning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(3), 944.
• Jeste, D. V., & Lee, E. E. (2019). Emerging empirical science of wisdom: definition, measurement, neurobiology, longevity, and interventions. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 27(3), 127.
• Jeste, D. V., Lee, E. E., Cassidy, C., Caspari, R., Gagneux, P., Glorioso, D., . . . & Blazer, D. (2019). The new science of practical wisdom. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 62(2), 216.
• Sherman, J. E. (2023, October 2). What is the opposite of wisdom? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/jerkology/202309/what-is-the-opposite-of-wisdom 
• Zhang, K., Shi, J., Wang, F., & Ferrari, M. (2023). Wisdom: Meaning, structure, types, arguments, and future concerns. Current Psychology, 42(18), 15030–15051.

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