Intelligence vs. Cunning: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
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.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge.
Skill of achieving goals through deceit or evasion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Connotation
Generally positive.
Often negative due to association with deceit.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Measurement
Measured through IQ tests.
Discerned through actions and behavior.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Scope
Broad, including various forms of intelligence.
Specific, related to practical and situational application.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Application
Valued in academic and professional settings.
Often used to navigate scenarios to one’s advantage.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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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.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Cunning
Skill in achieving one's ends by indirect means.
Through cunning, he manipulated the situation to his advantage.
Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Intelligence
A manifestation of high mental capacity.
Exceptional intelligence is often seen in prodigies.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Cunning
Cleverness or craftiness.
The fox is known for its cunning in folklore.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Intelligence
The capacity for learning, reasoning, and understanding.
Intelligence is crucial for making informed decisions.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
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Cunning
The ability to achieve goals through deceit or evasion.
His cunning plan allowed him to escape unnoticed.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Slyness marked by trickery.
Cunning strategies often involve deceit and manipulation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Artfulness and guile in dealing with others.
He used his cunning to outwit his competitors.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Intelligence
The ability to acquire and apply knowledge.
His intelligence allowed him to solve complex problems.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Intelligence
The ability to think abstractly and comprehend.
Emotional intelligence involves understanding emotions.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2022
FAQs
Is intelligence the ability to learn?
Yes, intelligence includes the ability to learn and apply knowledge effectively.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Is cunning associated with deceit?
Yes, cunning is often associated with achieving goals through deceit or evasion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can intelligence be measured through tests?
Yes, intelligence is often measured through IQ tests focusing on analytical abilities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can cunning be used for ethical purposes?
While cunning often involves deception, it can be used ethically in some situations.
Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Is emotional intelligence a form of intelligence?
Yes, emotional intelligence is a recognized form of intelligence focusing on emotions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can intelligence be improved?
While there’s debate, many believe that certain aspects of intelligence can be improved with effort.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Does intelligence involve reasoning?
Absolutely, intelligence involves the ability to reason and understand.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Is cunning considered clever?
Yes, cunning is considered to be clever, especially in practical and situational applications.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Is intelligence valued in educational settings?
Yes, intelligence is highly valued and nurtured in educational settings.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Is cunning perceived negatively?
Cunning can have negative connotations due to its association with deceit and manipulation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Does cunning imply indirect means?
Yes, cunning often implies achieving ends by indirect, often deceptive means.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
