---
title: "Difference between knowledge and wisdom"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:difference-knowledge-and-wisdom"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/difference-knowledge-and-wisdom
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Difference between knowledge and wisdom

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2070 Ashad, 5 marks
- Video: [Knowledge and Wisdom Summary in Nepali | By Bertrand Russell | NEB | Class 12  C.English #elopeeth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acr2goNGHc) — ELOPEETH
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/difference-knowledge-and-wisdom
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? [Knowledge and wisdom]

## Short answer

Knowledge is specialized, neutral information giving power. Wisdom is broad judgement guiding knowledge to good ends, incorporating compassion, impartiality, and proportion. Knowledge answers what can be done; wisdom answers what should be done.

## Answer

In "Knowledge and Wisdom", Bertrand Russell distinguishes between the two. Knowledge is information and skill about particular matters; wisdom is the broad judgement that decides how that knowledge should be used.

| Point | Knowledge | Wisdom |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Facts, information and skill gained by study | Sound judgement and a balanced view of life |
| Nature | Specialised, concerned with particular fields | Comprehensive, concerned with the whole |
| How gained | By learning, research, training | By broad outlook, experience, reflection and character |
| Effect | Gives power over nature | Directs power towards good ends |
| Concern | "How" things can be done | "Whether" and "why" they should be done |
| Moral element | Neutral; can serve good or evil | Includes compassion, impartiality and a sense of proportion |
| Danger | Can be used destructively | Reduces the danger of misuse |

#### Explanation
Russell observes that the modern age has greatly increased knowledge and skill, but wisdom has not grown equally. Knowledge without wisdom is dangerous: the same science that heals can be used for weapons. Wisdom needs a sense of proportion, freedom from narrow personal and local interest, impartiality, and goodwill towards others. He argues that it can be taught and that education should aim at it.

Hence knowledge answers "what can be done"; wisdom answers "what should be done".

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How does knowledge differ from wisdom in nature?
   A. Knowledge is comprehensive, wisdom specialised
   B. They are the same
   C. Both are specialised
   D. Knowledge is specialised, wisdom is comprehensive
   Answer: D. Knowledge concerns particular fields; wisdom concerns the whole. (Key point: Nature)

2. What question does each answer?
   A. Knowledge: what should be done; wisdom: what can be done
   B. Knowledge: what can be done; wisdom: what should be done
   C. Both: how
   D. Neither
   Answer: B. Wisdom concerns whether and why. (Key point: Concern)

3. Which is morally neutral?
   A. Wisdom
   B. Both
   C. Neither
   D. Knowledge, which can serve good or evil
   Answer: D. Wisdom includes compassion and impartiality. (Key point: Moral element)

4. What does Russell observe about the modern age?
   A. Wisdom has grown more than knowledge
   B. Knowledge and skill have increased greatly, wisdom has not grown equally
   C. Both have declined
   D. Both have grown equally
   Answer: B. Hence knowledge without wisdom is dangerous. (Key point: Modern age)

## Related in Communication English

- [Knowledge and Wisdom: sense of proportion](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Asense-of-proportion-knowledge-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Russell: wisdom more necessary with knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Arussell-wisdom-more-necessary) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Knowledge without wisdom makes education futile](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amere-knowledge-without-wisdom-futile) — Communication English, chapter 2
- [Difference between impartiality and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-impartiality-and-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2
- [Features contributing to wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afeatures-contributing-to-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2