The difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it. Quo

The ‘wise vs. smart’ argument has been anonymously brought to the table by some associate in university circles. This person obviously values prudence and discretion over the correct thing to say. This is a difficult challenge in any situation, both knowing the correct thing to say, but then processing the judgement to determine whether to verbalise it. However, it is clear this person has ignored the multiple levels of intelligence or ‘wisdom’ which do not lie solely in words but in vision, in actions, in empathy and in service. This broader appreciation of wisdom is beneficial in creating a more equitable society. Moreover, this issue applies in conflict resolution, in business and the workplace as well as the scientific field which highlights the need for discretion and vision.

On the face of this difference between smart and wise is simply a matter of timing and of prudence. This hides obvious truths in that wisdom is not merely an act of speaking but it is an entire process involving listening, maturity and a degree of experience. Knowing what to say when someone approaches you with a problem is not an easy task either. Marriage counsellors, for instance, build their careers on knowing what to say and framing their words in such a way as to instruct and soothe a troubled spirit. A successful marriage counsellor is not labelled ‘smart’ for their counsel, but the term wise is closer to the mark. There are many cases in which prudence and discretion will allow one to assess the situation more holistically.

The author of this quote has oversimplified the matter of intelligence and wisdom in restricting it to the domain of talking or not talking. Rather, the wise person can also be good their hands, can recognise patterns in statistical data, can fell empathy towards individuals and groups in crisis and the like. Clearly, it takes all sorts to create a society that is self-sustaining in caring for the needs of people. The family unit, too, can be responsible for oversimplifying the notion of wisdom and intelligence. Praise may be generously head on those who perform well in their studies, whereas the mellow composition is ignored. IN all, a more equitable society requires a greater respect for the individual talents and intelligences of the society.

In the context of conflict resolution, there is a great need for prudence and discretion. Furthermore, discretion is one of the key issues in patient-doctor confidentiality that avoids great distress to many parties. IN the business world too, there is a need to be discrete with trade secrets and strategy. The rationale behind this creates bases on which to build competitive advantages. The importance of discretion also applies to the scientific field in which intellectual property is guarded jealously.

It is clear therefore that the ‘wise vs. smart’ argument is oversimplified and applies to narrow situations. Truth in this case is sacrificed for the sake of humour. In order to develop on the ethos of fairness, governments and families alike must appreciate the talents of all people. In all aspects of wider society, however, it has been shown that discretion, while not simply limited to speaking, has an important place in maintaining important states of being.