Knowledge Is Definitely Not Power

Growing up, I completely felt and was pretty much taught the famous adage "knowledge is power." The whole yeshiva system (and elementary/cheder) seemed built not so much on education but on brilliance and smarts. This blog isn’t about the education systems and what needs fixing or attention. Instead, it's about how knowledge isn't power, but wisdom is. Yes, having knowledge is wonderful and important. But the real power doesn't lie in the accumulation of facts and information; it lies in the wisdom we gain from our experiences and the deeper understanding of life. So let's jump into it. For those of us who didn’t excel in the education/yeshiva system, this might be somewhat healing as we discuss what we should really be seeking. And don’t worry, this is relevant to daily living, not just harping on the past challenges many of us faced.

The Allure of Intellectual Brilliance

Let me take you back to when I was a youth counselor. There was this one guy, a friend of mine now, who was incredibly brilliant. You would get into conversations with him and leave thinking that what you were saying wasn't quite up to par. He used such complex language that it often felt unnecessary and inauthentic (not to knock him or anything personal). It was like he was trying to reveal some higher truth that was just beyond your grasp, making me feel like I wasn’t on his level and that what I was saying lacked credence. But he wasn’t the only one. I've met many older teenagers and young adults who do this, whether they were actually at those ages or older but at the maturity levels of these stages. They intellectualize everything, often as a coping mechanism to deal with their struggles.

This issue wasn't limited to my friends or people I would cross paths with. With my siblings, whoever sounded smarter would almost automatically have the so-called upper hand in debates or conversations. Woe to the person who tried to use a new word incorrectly it was an automatic loss as if whatever you were saying didn't matter anymore. It was like an "insert name has left the chat" moment, you know.

Now, I was never angry at these individuals (okay, maybe once or twice, lol) because they were dealing with some heavy stuff. Figuring out who they were, deciding on the direction they wanted to head, and coping with past traumas emotional neglect, physical abuse, you name it. They used intellectualization, a cognitive distortion, to make sense of it all. And while we all do this to some extent (hand raised here, as I’ve found myself doing this many times when it came to painful topics/experiences personally), the truth is that you can’t outsmart your pain and traumas.

The Struggle with Knowledge

Growing up, I always felt that if I wasn't able to memorize everything and ace my tests, my value was somehow less. Honestly, I was maybe just above average in most subjects except for math. Math terrified me and still does (salute to those who enjoy the number world, mad respect). I was part of the middle ground, not quite the top, but not the bottom either. To stand out, I turned to sports and, admittedly, some troublemaking. These choices weren't entirely conscious, but they were a way to find my place. Because if brains were where success lay, I didn’t think I was going to make it, so why not enjoy life a bit and go for the ride? (Don’t worry,I’m painting a picture that doesn’t capture the craziness of my journey, but all good.)

For those who felt like they were in the middle ground or even lower in their yeshiva/academic years, I hope the following brings you some comfort, knowing I was right there with you. And for those who struggled even more, I hope this message offers some healing. Oh, and for those who are in the upper echelons of IQ, we love you. The message I’m hopefully going to get to is more about the power of wisdom and less about diminishing the worth of knowledge because it sure is valuable in its time and place.

The Journey to Wisdom

As I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize that true power and brilliance come from wisdom, not just intellectual ability. In my work as a social worker, there are two things that I’ve come to see. First, brilliant people with unbelievable amounts of knowledge seem to struggle with questions and mental health challenges just as much, if not more, than the so-called regular person. Second, healing and the so-called AHA moment don’t come from some brilliant line or sentence but from wisdom, from connection, from deep understanding. See, when the goal is knowledge, what happens is an environment where sounding intelligent becomes more important than being genuine and authentic. This happens not just externally but also internally, and we need to reprogram ourselves to seek wisdom, not intellect.

If you’ve ever watched Good Will Hunting, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Will, this insanely smart guy, meets a therapist who’s totally unfazed by how brilliant he is. The therapist sees right through it he knows Will’s using his intelligence to keep himself safe from facing his real issues. But what actually helps Will isn’t the therapist’s knowledge, it’s his wisdom and humanity. The movie really shows how, in the end, it’s wisdom and connection not just knowledgethat lead to real change.

knowledge vs wisdom

But what is the actual difference, you ask? Well, wait no further check out the below.

Intellect is the body, while wisdom is the soul. Intellect sees facts and data, but wisdom sees the deeper truths that lie beneath. Intellect discerns the edges and measures the tangible, while wisdom embraces the essence, understanding the intangible and surrendering to that which is bigger than us.

Intellect navigates the terrain with precision, but wisdom charts the course with purpose. Intellect seeks answers in the light of logic, while wisdom finds meaning in the shadows of experience. Intellect conquers with knowledge, but wisdom leads with insight. Intellect feeds the ego, but wisdom feeds the soul.

For where intellect reaches its limits, wisdom begins its journey, guiding us through life's rugged terrain with the quiet strength of understanding, the steadfastness of a warrior's heart, and the profound power of honor and integrity. Wisdom is the compass in the storm, the anchor in the chaos, and the fire that forges true character.

Freaking poetic, aye? But seriously, think about it.

The Real Power

Research backs this up. Emotional intelligence (EQ) and resilience have been proven in numerous studies to be more beneficial to one’s life in relationships, career, mental health, work performance, and many other areas than IQ. So while knowledge is integral and something we must strive to acquire, wisdom is what truly brings healing, truth, fulfillment, and your highest potential.

Conclusion

Acquire knowledge, but seek wisdom. Wisdom is what will bring you healing and truth; it will enrich your life and relationships. It’s where peace and quiet happen. Wisdom isn’t just about accumulating facts it’s about being present, embracing humility, and recognizing that there’s always more beneath the surface. You gain wisdom by being fully engaged in the moment, listening deeply to others, and being open to new perspectives. It involves reflecting on your experiences and understanding that even when you know a lot, there’s always more to learn and explore. If you weren’t the smartest in school or feel overwhelmed by today’s endless stream of information, remember: wisdom is power, not just knowledge. It’s found in the ability to stay curious, stay humble, and remain open to the richness of life’s lessons.

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