Learn English – Difference between wise and clever

grammar

What is the difference between clever and wise

As far as I understand, a wise person has knowledge and skills of everything but it's not necessary that his intentions are evil.

But a clever person always has evil intentions.

Best Answer

Wise: having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion. Source

Clever: mentally bright; having sharp or quick intelligence; able. Source

Clever generally has something to do with intelligence. A "clever kid" is a "bright kid," a "smart kid." Someone who is clever can usually problem-solve faster, run through possibilities or probabilities quicker and more accurately, perform mental math easily (or at least easier than less naturally clever people), and the like. Cleverness is often innate, but can sometimes be learned. For most people, cleverness can be linked to IQ.

Wisdom comes with age and experience. Wisdom is the ability to not only know something, but explain that to someone much less experienced (who may or may not be more clever). If you are a really smart kid and your parents aren't as "quick" or "clever" as you are, I can promise you they are much more wise, and will more often than not be correct. Again, wisdom comes from age coupled with experience.

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