What is wisdom? Inside its definition, synonyms, and meaning

Wisdom can be an elusive concept to define or identify precisely. Some argue it can only be cultivated with time and experience, while others feel it’s a trait that some innately have more of than others. To better understand what wisdom is, let’s take a look at a definition as well as other related characteristics. Then, we’ll cover how you may be able to increase your own levels of wisdom to benefit your life and those around you.

Wisdom definition

Most agree that wisdom and knowledge, though related, are not the same.

One might argue, then, that great wisdom must be acquired by living and applied with some level of intentionality. Knowledge, on the other hand, can be fairly passively obtained simply by reading or listening, and may or may not be practically applied.

Concepts related to wisdom

Understanding what wisdom is not can be helpful in understanding what it is. Below is a selection of concepts that people often confuse with wisdom. Some are more closely related than others; read on to learn more. Quoted definitions were taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Acumen

The word acumen is defined as “keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination, especially in practical matters”. It means being able to quickly pick up on different elements of your environment. This term is commonly used in relation to business, as business acumen means that you’re able to quickly assess a business situation and notice where valuable opportunities or challenges may exist. Some may consider this and synonyms like “erudition” to be in reference to a specific, practical form of accepted wisdom.

Caution

Caution is “prudent forethought to minimize risk”. Acting with caution may represent the wisest choice in a certain situation; for example, sometimes it may be best to act cautiously to avoid danger, failure, or harm. Other times, however, the wise choice involves taking a calculated risk and preparing for the possibility that it may or may not turn out the way you hope. 

Common sense

Common sense, sometimes referred to as “conventional wisdom”, is defined as “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts”. Like wisdom, it’s typically tied to an accurate and logical assessment of the situation at hand. However, common sense, as its name implies, doesn’t generally require specific scholarly knowledge, experience, training, or any kind of elevated perspective to obtain. It’s based on the concept of how the average, observant person might act in a given, ordinary situation.

Experience

Experience is “practical knowledge, skill, or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity”. In other words, it’s related to specific life events. For example, the average parent would have experience in raising children that someone who is not a parent would be unlikely to have, meaning they could typically make more informed decisions about childcare. A parent with both experience and wisdom, then, might be able to make decisions in which they apply their experience in an objective manner to make the best possible choice.

Foresight

Foresight is “provident care or prudence”. Foresight means looking ahead to see potential outcomes of a situation or decision and acting accordingly to promote positive ones. Many view these two concepts as related, because wisdom may be a characteristic that helps a person develop a strong sense of foresight. 

Intelligence

Intelligence is “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations”. Intelligence may contribute to wisdom but is not the same on its own. Intelligence can be viewed as the capacity for gaining knowledge, which—as outlined above—is not fundamentally synonymous with wisdom.

Judgment

Judgment is “the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing”. Wisdom and judgment are inherently related since the original definition of wisdom mentioned above is “the ability to make sound judgments”. Having good and just judgment can be seen as synonymous with being wise, so these two words may sometimes be used interchangeably. You may also see someone with good judgment referred to as being a person of great “sagacity”, which means to refers to an individual’s ability to discern and judge a particular situation in a shrewd manner. 

Prudence

Prudence is “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason”, “skill and good judgment in the use of resources”, or “caution or circumspection as to danger or risk”. Similar to caution, prudence can be viewed as a deeply practical trait. While a wise act or decision can typically be seen as prudent, prudent decisions may not always be wise because sometimes, taking a risk is actually the wisest option.

The deeper meaning of wisdom

Wisdom is generally considered to be a desirable quality because it can result in decisions that benefit the individual and those around them. It’s more than just knowledge, intelligence, or practicality, which may lead one to make a choice that neglects important elements or stakeholders. Instead, it’s a type of accumulated knowledge that’s usually applied with a sense of empathy, ethics, and enlightenment. It typically comes from a place of deep understanding and humanity and involves careful consideration of all factors and parties involved in a particular choice.

How to develop wisdom

While some people may have a more innate sense of or ability to develop wisdom, most people can increase their levels of almost any trait—including this one. There’s no standard or quick way for a young person, or even an old person, to develop wisdom. That being said, there are a few principles that seekers of this characteristic may consider incorporating into their lives.

Seek out new experiences

Many people agree that wisdom is at least partially a product of life experience. As one study on the topic puts it, “Empirical evidence indicates that people’s ability to think wisely varies dramatically across experiential contexts that they encounter over the life span”. If you’re looking to increase your wisdom, you might expose yourself to new opinions and experiences. You may also want to push yourself out of your comfort zone. This could be accomplished by traveling, learning about other cultures, and taking risks such as being emotionally vulnerable and building relationships. You could also talk to people with different backgrounds than your own, as they may have a valuable bit of advice you wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. Over time, your exposure to a variety of different types of people and situations can help you build a wiser perspective. 

Practice reflection rather than rumination

Rumination involves cycling through the same thought or thought patterns repeatedly without gaining a new or useful insight about a situation. It’s common in people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, and certain types of therapeutic treatment and/or consistent mindfulness meditation practice may help a person break out of this cycle. In order to increase your own levels of wisdom, you might work toward engaging in reflection on past events instead. This could look like viewing your experiences in a nonjudgmental way, treating yourself with grace and compassion in relation to any mistakes or failures, and considering how you might use the lessons you learned to benefit yourself and others in the future. 

Learn from the wisdom of others

There have been many wise sayings and wise minds throughout history, and you may also have wise people in your life and community. Listening to and learning from them may help you develop your own sense of wisdom. For example, you might read books written by well-known philosophers—or anyone whose perspective or teachings you may be able to learn from. 

Some find wisdom from God or religious texts, like the Koran, the Douay Bible, or the Old Testament. One specific passage from the Old Testament relating to wisdom comes from Proverbs 8:11, which states that “wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Others may find wisdom from more modern sources, like writers, artists, or leaders in their community. While the sources may differ, in many cases historical accounts and stories offer plenty of ways to learn more about life and gain wisdom from the experiences of others. 

You might also observe how wise people in your life weigh options and make decisions. Being open to learning not just facts and knowledge but also mindsets and viewpoints can help you develop your own type of wisdom that you can come to apply in various life situations.

How therapy can help

There are many reasons an individual might want to work toward increasing their sense of wisdom. They may wish to improve their decision-making abilities or interact in relationships in more positive ways. They also may simply want to expand their viewpoint and have a broader, more empathetic perspective on the world and the people around them. If you’re interested in cultivating a stronger sense of wisdom, you might consider meeting with a therapist. To this end, they can help you understand where your current beliefs and behaviors are coming from, correct any flawed or unhealthy thought patterns, and build skills like communication, conflict resolution, and emotional management.

If you’re interested in seeking therapy, you can typically choose from in-person or virtual sessions. Those who prefer receiving this type of support from the comfort of home or anywhere else they have an internet connection might find online therapy to be the right fit for them. With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist whom you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to get the support you may need. Research suggests that both online and in-person therapy can offer similar benefits in most cases, so you can generally choose the format that feels right for you.