Intelligence vs. Cunning: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 21, 2023
Intelligence refers to one's ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge, while Cunning is the skill of achieving one's goals through deceit or evasio
Key Differences
Intelligence and Cunning are distinct concepts, each embodying a unique set of attributes and applications. Intelligence is indicative of a person’s ability to learn, understand, reason, and apply knowledge effectively. It represents a cognitive ability that involves analytical thinking, problem-solving, and comprehension. On the other hand, Cunning refers to the skill or ability to achieve one’s ends through deceit, evasion, or manipulation. It typically implies a degree of craftiness or slyness employed to attain desired outcomes.
Intelligence is often measured through IQ tests, emphasizing logical reasoning, memory, and analytical abilities. It is valued in academic and professional settings for its correlation with learning and problem-solving skills. Conversely, Cunning is not measured through standardized tests but is often discerned through one’s actions and behavior. It is characterized by a shrewdness and astuteness used to maneuver situations to one’s advantage, usually with a sense of guile and deception.
Intelligence encompasses various forms including emotional, creative, and analytical intelligence, each highlighting different aspects of cognitive abilities. It is seen as a positive trait that contributes to individual growth and societal progress. Cunning, in contrast, primarily revolves around being cleverly resourceful and adept at manipulating situations. It might not always have a positive connotation as it often involves trickery and deception to meet individual objectives.
In a broad sense, Intelligence is associated with the pursuit of knowledge and the application of rational and logical thinking. It is considered a fundamental aspect of cognitive development and is respected and nurtured in educational contexts. Cunning, however, is more related to practical and situational application, wherein an individual uses clever and often deceptive means to navigate scenarios, and it may not be perceived as an ethical or moral approach.
To encapsulate, while Intelligence is a broad term encompassing one’s ability to learn, reason, and solve problems, Cunning is a more specific trait related to achieving goals through clever yet often deceptive means. Intelligence is generally perceived as a positive and desirable attribute, while Cunning may have negative connotations due to its association with deceit and manipulation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge.
Skill of achieving goals through deceit or evasion.
Connotation
Generally positive.
Often negative due to association with deceit.
Measurement
Measured through IQ tests.
Discerned through actions and behavior.
Scope
Broad, including various forms of intelligence.
Specific, related to practical and situational application.
Application
Valued in academic and professional settings.
Often used to navigate scenarios to one’s advantage.
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Intelligence and Cunning Definitions
Intelligence
The collection of information, especially of military or political value.
The agency gathered intelligence on the enemy's plans.
Cunning
Skill in achieving one's ends by indirect means.
Through cunning, he manipulated the situation to his advantage.
Intelligence
A manifestation of high mental capacity.
Exceptional intelligence is often seen in prodigies.
Cunning
Cleverness or craftiness.
The fox is known for its cunning in folklore.
Intelligence
The capacity for learning, reasoning, and understanding.
Intelligence is crucial for making informed decisions.
Cunning
The ability to achieve goals through deceit or evasion.
His cunning plan allowed him to escape unnoticed.
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
Cunning
Slyness marked by trickery.
Cunning strategies often involve deceit and manipulation.
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
Cunning
Artfulness and guile in dealing with others.
He used his cunning to outwit his competitors.
Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Intelligence
An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Intelligence
(countable) An entity that has such capacities.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Intelligence
, often secret, about an enemy or about hostile activities.
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Intelligence
(dated) acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
Cunning
Knowing; skillful; dexterous.
"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Esau was a cunning hunter.
Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
Cunning
The faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose; fraudulent skill or dexterity; deceit; craft.
Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
Intelligence
The operation of gathering information about an enemy
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Intelligence
The ability to acquire and apply knowledge.
His intelligence allowed him to solve complex problems.
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Intelligence
The ability to think abstractly and comprehend.
Emotional intelligence involves understanding emotions.
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
Cunning
Attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness;
A cute kid with pigtails
A cute little apartment
Cunning kittens
A cunning baby
Cunning
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
FAQs
Is intelligence the ability to learn?
Yes, intelligence includes the ability to learn and apply knowledge effectively.
Is cunning associated with deceit?
Yes, cunning is often associated with achieving goals through deceit or evasion.
Can intelligence be measured through tests?
Yes, intelligence is often measured through IQ tests focusing on analytical abilities.
Can cunning be used for ethical purposes?
While cunning often involves deception, it can be used ethically in some situations.
Is emotional intelligence a form of intelligence?
Yes, emotional intelligence is a recognized form of intelligence focusing on emotions.
Can intelligence be improved?
While there’s debate, many believe that certain aspects of intelligence can be improved with effort.
Does intelligence involve reasoning?
Absolutely, intelligence involves the ability to reason and understand.
Is cunning considered clever?
Yes, cunning is considered to be clever, especially in practical and situational applications.
Is intelligence valued in educational settings?
Yes, intelligence is highly valued and nurtured in educational settings.
Is cunning perceived negatively?
Cunning can have negative connotations due to its association with deceit and manipulation.
Does cunning imply indirect means?
Yes, cunning often implies achieving ends by indirect, often deceptive means.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
