The Difference Between Knowledge and Wisdom

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”

I saw that quote last week on an older lady’s t-shirt, in a Thai restaurant, while waiting for my carry-out order.

At first, I laughed. I thought it was mostly silly. Then it sparked some thought.

Lots of People Seek Knowledge

Whether we like to admit it or not, most of our days are spent consuming information. You might not think reading Cosmopolitan magazine is knowledge, but it is.

Watching TV is a way to gain knowledge.

Browsing Reddit on our smartphones is a way to gain knowledge.

Reading books is a way to gain knowledge.

Lots of folks think one medium is better than the others – I tend to agree that reading books is best – but it all works, nonetheless.

This certainly isn’t ground-breaking news. Present day humans are ridiculed for constantly staring into their smartphone, but look at a photo from New York City in the 1970’s and you’ll see thousands of people walking around, faces planted into newspapers.

The point I’m trying to make is that lots of people seek knowledge. We like to appear smart and impress our peers. But is knowledge really what we should be striving for?

Let’s take a look at wisdom.

Fewer People Gain Wisdom

If knowledge is knowing a bunch of stuff, wisdom is being able retain and implement that stuff in practical applications.

For example, we all have that friend who’s very knowledgeable about health, diet, and fitness.

“You shouldn’t eat that slice of pizza. It’ll make you fat.”

Yet that person is painfully overweight and clearly doesn’t follow his own advice.* I would consider this friend somewhat knowledgeable.

Here’s the thing – knowledge is easy. Wisdom takes effort, trial, error, pain, blood, sweat, and tears. That’s why there are so few people in this world who are truly wise. It’s a lifelong practice.

Knowledge is the more comfortable option. What’s easier? Reading about the benefits of cold therapy or testing it out for yourself with a cold shower?

Ways You Can Turn Knowledge into Wisdom

I don’t know about you, but when I seek advice, I look for a mentor who’s been through the gauntlet, not one who’s simply shouting the loudest.

There are plenty of ways for you to start turning knowledge into wisdom:

Read a book about business, then go start your own.

Watch a documentary about veganism, then try it out for a month.

Watch a yoga video and actually follow along.

Listen to a chef’s podcast, then go create a masterpiece in the kitchen.

These are just a few ideas to motivate and teach you the mindset of the wise.

Please note that failure is unavoidable. It’s the admission fee to earning wisdom and finding success.

The next time someone asks you “hey, Becky, did you know….” You’ll respond with “yes, and I fucking tried it with a smile.”

*For the record, a slice of pizza won’t make you fat. Heck, a whole pizza won’t make you fat. Consistent overconsumption, lack of exercise, and sugar will make you fat.