Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding are all great qualities that every human should possess to live a more noble life. We go to schools to gain knowledge, hold on to our conviction to achieve wisdom, and reflect on our own doings to achieve understanding. We might be familiar with the meaning of knowledge and wisdom, as we usually hear people talking about them. Some people are even using them interchangeably in their stories and discussions.
But what really is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
What about the differences between knowledge, wisdom, and understanding?
One of the best ways to define and understand the meaning of something is to learn how to distinguish it among others. The more you recognize its unique distinctions, the more you understand its meaning.
To become knowledgeable, wise, and understanding, let’s analyze the meanings and differences of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. And to go higher, deeper, and further, let’s include insight, which might be their ultimate form.
So without further ado, let’s scrutinize them starting from their definitions.
On the meaning and definition
Knowledge is the collective information and facts acquired through education or experience. Knowledge is awareness. And yes, knowledge, itself, is power.
Wisdom is the quality of having a good judgement based on knowledge. It is popularly known as the ability to discern. If knowledge is power, wisdom is your choice to use or apply that power.
Understanding is the ability to understand one’s knowledge and choices. It is the realization of your decision. It is knowledge and wisdom put into action. If knowledge is power and wisdom is your choice to use that power, understanding is the execution of your choice to use that power. We develop understanding when we practice what we preach.
Insight is the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of one’s knowledge and choices. It is the ability to make your knowledge, decision, and action into a habit or a lifestyle. If knowledge is power, wisdom is your choice to use that power, and understanding is the execution of your choice to use that power — then insight is the consistent execution of your choice to use that power. Insight is related to our future. If we have insight, or if we are constantly putting our knowledge, wisdom, an understanding into actions, we become more confident of our future.
On how to obtain them
To gain knowledge, one has to spend time and effort to know things by reading, listening, seeing, experiencing, studying, and getting familiar with certain things. Without interest or passion, one can hardly acquire knowledge.
To gain wisdom, one has to have knowledge first, and then use conviction to make a good judgment out of that knowledge. Without strength, courage, and confidence to make a decision, one cannot gain wisdom. No matter how intelligent or knowledgeable a person is, if he cannot distinguish what is right or wrong, he cannot be considered as a wise person.
To gain understanding, one has to have both knowledge and wisdom first, and then put them into action. He has to know, make a choice, and then practice that choice he has made. Without practicing and executing one’s knowledge and choice, he cannot truly understand or realize them. In order to have wisdom, you have to walk your talk. You have to do what is right, not just know it or judge it.
To gain insight, one has to have all of the above: knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. By persistently practicing and reflecting on them, one can gain insight and have more certainty of the future. Without patience, self-control, perseverance, and consistency, you can hardly develop insight.
In short, you have to know to have knowledge, you have to make a knowledgeable choice to gain wisdom, you have to practice that choice to gain understanding, and finally, practice that choice consistently to gain insight.
On their applications in life
Knowledge can help you become more intelligent, earn higher school grades, have a more profitable business, have a healthier life, build lasting relationships, and survive most of life’s challenges. Knowledge is indeed a power which can make you stronger and more competitive in life.
Wisdom can help you choose to apply your intelligence, honor, profit, health, love, and strength the right way. In other words, wisdom is choosing to use your knowledge or power in a better way.
Understanding can help you become a more practical person. Since it is the ability to put your knowledge and wisdom into actions, it will help you walk your talk and achieve actual results. Understanding will help you execute your choice to apply your intelligence, honor, profit, health, love, and strength the right way.
Insight can help you become a happier and more confident person. Since it is the ability to consistently practice your knowledge and wisdom, it will help you become more certain of the future. It will remove your fears and insecurities, thereby attaining real happiness and completeness in life. Insight will help you to persistently and constantly practice your choice to apply your intelligence, honor, profit, health, love, and strength the right way until you become more confident of the future.
Final thoughts
We need knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and insight to have a better life now and in the future. Insight seemingly appears to be the greatest among them, but the truth is, they all need each other. You cannot have wisdom without knowledge, you cannot have understanding without wisdom, and you cannot have insight without understanding. They are steps or stages which we need to complete to truly achieve happiness and success in life. We have to recognize their differences not to separate them but to learn how to connect them and walk the right path towards life’s ultimate achievement.
You may also read: 12 Ways to become Wiser
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This morning I was contempleting proverbs 4:18 “perfect day”. Your commentary on wisdom, understanding and insight added much to my meditations. Grace and peace, Laun Storm
thanks for this article, it has widen my understanding on the subject matter.
I am so much enlighten by your article. I was reading the Book of Proverbs and the question “what is wisdom” dropped. While searching I came across this article. God richly bless you!
Thank you & God bless!
a wonder piece of information am so blessed
I have found it difficult to understand these four words. But now, by reading your commentary, values have been added to my knowledge. Thank you.
Am really bless for this article, it was the book of proverbs that brought me to searching for the meaning of wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
Thanks a lot I am really blessed
Thanks a lot for giving such a great information on knowledge, wisdom, understanding and insight, I’m blessed by this because now I can read Bible by knowledge to get wisdom and understand the Word of God for my insight.
Thank you
Thank you for blessing us with your understanding and sharing with us generously. Proverbs lead me to find you.
In my 20’s, I heard my mother explain the difference between knowledge and wisdom almost exactly like you have. She said it was impossible to be wise without first gaining knowledge. Understanding and Insight she dId not cover, at least not to my ears. She would have though if she had lived longer to see when I needed to hear these last 2 aged values. She trusted God to bring these things to my attention when it was time. And..He did. Rarely do I learn such from another. I am very careful in that so I use the Bible and a dictionary mostly, Guided by the Holy Spirit, I do find times when I must learn from another. Thank you for using your time to disciple others and to honor Him. Treasures in your box Gal! See you then.
Yes, I agree. Your words have helped me understand the differences and connectivity of these four life goals!
Thank you.
This comes across to me as a western perspective. How can Insight come after wisdom. For one to become wise they must first have insight, if they do not have insight then they cannot be wise. Knowledge on the other hand is not related to wisdom. Wisdom is achieved through the education of life in nature, where we live. Knowledge is external, wisdom is internal. One cannot achieve wisdom through knowledge and one cannot achieve knowledge through wisdom. Understanding is relative to the context of what it is you are dealing with. From my perspective real understanding is beyond our comprehension. Wisdom does not mean we understand, as understanding does not make us wise. Wisdom is more about accepting what we do not know as much as it is to recognize what we do know. Wisdom is the ability to accept and be part of what is, not to go in search of knowledge. Knowledge does not bring you truth because it is constantly changing and we do not know where or when it will reach the end of it’s journey, or if it ever will. This has been my perspective on these word’s for so long i cannot exactly recall. I do accept this may be an eastern perspective, and may not coincide with the dictionary meaning, but i do believe a lot of westerner’s see it this way also.
Thank you very much keep on doing what you are doing its really helping. God bless you
I was blessed by this…God bless u
I am currently doing a Precept study on Proverbs where wisdom, knowledge and understanding are used in the same/subsequent verses. It is confusing because the differences are not clear in my mind. Thank you for this article. It will be a tremendous help. Blessings on you and yours, Vic.
enlighten GOD bless you so much.
Thanks bro that was very profound
I think the order is misunderstood in this article. Only after knowledge, understanding and insight comes wisdom. Wisdom is the highest point, it is knoweldge and understanding put into action. One can have knowledge and understanding without wisdom, but to gain wisdom, one has to have knowledge and understanding first.
This article is really helpful, it removed confusion from my thought.
Thank God I learn so much informations regarding Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding. May God bless my all dear in Christ.
Very clear and helpful tips. May Jehovah bless you.