What lesson do you get out this statement? How would you apply it to yourself?

Question

The intelligent man knows everything about something. The wise man knows something about everything.

Answer 1

I strongly disagree with both statements.

I would say that the truly wise man knows how little he knows about anything and always seeks to improve this situation.

Answer 2

I agree with ChaseF & HelioCen, but would add this from Paul's writings;  2nd Cor 12:1, "It is NOT expedient for me doubtless to glory.  I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord." & 1st Cor 8:2, "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet AS HE OUGHT TO KNOW."

If your knowledge of God doesn't come from God, but rather from man, you don't know "as he ought to know".

Answer 3

It tells you that you shouldn't focus all on one thing, learn as much as you can about a variety of things. It makes me realize that just because I might know a lot about one subject I still am not necessarily smart.

Answer 4

How about that! I'm and intelligent wise man!!!!! hehheheheheh

Answer 5

I would disagree. I would say that the wise man will admit that he knows nothing.

Answer 6

The lesson seems to imply that broad breadth of knowledge, as opposed to depth, confers some deeper understanding of life.

I might apply it by making sure to learn a little about things outside my sphere of expertise.

That being said, I think the statement is misleading in that it "seems" to imply that the two are mutually exclusive ... which isn't necessarily so.

Answer 7

Its better to be wise than to be intelligent in the end.  To be wise is to be cultured.  When you are cultured, you are exposed to many beliefs without a biased opinion.

When you are intelligent, knowing everything about something, the focus is not on a broad scope of things, but rather on one subject. One can indulge head first into one subject about stars and end up knowing nothing about how they got there.

There is more to thinking than one thought.