Wise vs. Clever: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 24, 2024
Wise refers to having experience, knowledge, and good judgment, whereas clever indicates quick thinking, resourcefulness, and inventiveness.
Key Differences
Wise refers to the deep understanding and discernment that comes from experience and learning. It involves making sound judgments and decisions based on a broad perspective. Clever, on the other hand, indicates quick thinking and the ability to solve problems or come up with inventive solutions rapidly.
Wisdom often comes with age and experience, emphasizing thoughtful and measured actions. It is associated with long-term benefits and ethical considerations. Cleverness is not necessarily tied to experience and can be seen in younger individuals who show quick wit and resourcefulness in various situations.
Wise individuals are known for their ability to see the bigger picture and understand complex situations deeply. They tend to provide advice that is valuable and enduring. Clever individuals excel in finding quick, often creative solutions to immediate problems, showcasing their mental agility.
In social contexts, wise people are often sought for counsel and guidance due to their profound insights. Clever individuals are appreciated for their ability to entertain, persuade, and navigate challenges swiftly, often using their charm and quick responses.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Possessing experience, knowledge, judgment
Quick-thinking, resourceful, inventive
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Source
Gained through experience and learning
Innate or developed through practice
Timeframe
Focuses on long-term benefits
Often addresses immediate problems
Associated with
Older, more experienced individuals
Can be seen in individuals of any age
Social Role
Sought for counsel and guidance
Appreciated for wit and problem-solving
Wise and Clever Definitions
Wise
Possessing deep knowledge and good judgment.
The wise old man shared his life lessons with the community.
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Clever
Witty and amusing.
Her clever jokes kept everyone entertained.
Wise
Showing sound judgment in decisions.
She made a wise choice to invest in education.
Clever
Quick-thinking and intelligent.
She came up with a clever solution to the problem.
Wise
Experienced and well-informed.
Her wise insights helped navigate the crisis.
Clever
Resourceful and inventive.
The clever marketing campaign boosted sales.
Wise
Prudent and sensible.
It is wise to save money for future needs.
Clever
Deft at solving problems.
The clever engineer fixed the issue in no time.
Wise
Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious
A wise leader.
Clever
Mentally quick and original; bright
A clever student.
Wise
Exhibiting common sense; prudent
A wise decision.
Clever
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
Wise
Shrewd; crafty
Made a wise move selling the house when he did.
Clever
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
Wise
Provided with information; informed. Often used with to
I'm wise to your tricks. We were none the wiser after reading the report.
Clever
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
Wise
(Slang) Rude and disrespectful; impudent.
Clever
Witty; amusing
An evening of clever repartee.
Wise
Method or manner of doing; way
In no wise.
In any wise.
Clever
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
Wise
Showing good judgement or the benefit of experience.
Storing extra food for the winter was a wise decision.
They were considered the wise old men of the administration.
"It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish" - Aeschylus
Clever
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
Wise
Disrespectful.
Don't get wise with me!
Clever
Chiefly Southern US Good-natured; amiable.
Wise
(colloquial) Aware, informed.
Be careful: the boss is wise to your plan to call out sick.
Clever
Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept.
Wise
To become wise.
Clever
Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent.
Wise
Usually with "up", to inform or learn.
Mo wised him up about his situation.
After Mo had a word with him, he wised up.
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful.
A simple but clever trick to solve the problem.
Clever like a fox
Wise
(dialectal) To instruct.
Clever
Skilled at achieving what one wants, especially via unusual methods.
With a clever lawyer, she could easily be acquitted.
Wise
(dialectal) To advise; induce.
Clever
Smart, intelligent, or witty; mentally quick or sharp.
Wise
(dialectal) To show the way, guide.
Clever
(of objects or actions) Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.
Wise
(dialectal) To direct the course of, pilot.
Clever
Possessing magical abilities.
Wise
(dialectal) To cause to turn.
Clever
(obsolete) Fit; suitable; having propriety.
Wise
(archaic) Way, manner, or method.
Clever
(obsolete) Well-shaped; handsome.
Wise
Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned.
They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Clever
Good-natured; obliging.
Wise
Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and judging soundly concerning what is true or false, proper or improper; choosing the best ends and the best means for accomplishing them; sagacious.
When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks.
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.
Clever
Fit and healthy; free from fatigue or illness.
Wise
Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination.
Fal. There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she's gone.Sim. Pray you, sir, was't not the wise woman of Brentford?
Clever
Possessing quickness of intellect, skill, dexterity, talent, or adroitness; expert.
Though there were many clever men in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century, there were only two great creative minds.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.
Wise
Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty.
Nor, on the other side,Will I be penuriously wiseAs to make money, that's my slave, my idol.
Lords do not care for me:I am too wise to die yet.
Clever
Showing skill or adroitness in the doer or former; as, a clever speech; a clever trick.
Wise
Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing or exhibiting wisdom; well adapted to produce good effects; judicious; discreet; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination.
A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one;He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth.
You are too wise in years, too full of counsel,For my green experience.
Clever
Having fitness, propriety, or suitableness.
"T would sound more cleverTo me and to my heirs forever.
Wise
Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion.
To love her in my beste wyse.
This song she sings in most commanding wise.
Let not these blessings then, sent from above,Abused be, or spilt in profane wise.
Clever
Well-shaped; handsome.
Wise
A way of doing or being;
In no wise
In this wise
Clever
Good-natured; obliging.
Wise
United States Jewish leader (born in Hungary) (1874-1949)
Clever
Skillful (or showing skill) in adapting means to ends;
Cool prudence and sensitive selfishness along with quick perception of what is possible--these distinguish an adroit politician
Came up with a clever story
An ingenious press agent
An ingenious scheme
Wise
United States religious leader (born in Bohemia) who united reform Jewish organizations in the United States (1819-1900)
Clever
Showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others;
A cagey lawyer
Too clever to be sound
Wise
Having or prompted by wisdom or discernment;
A wise leader
A wise and perceptive comment
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful;
An apt pupil
You are a clever man...you reason well and your wit is bold
Wise
Marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters;
Judicious use of one's money
A sensible manager
A wise decision
Clever
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Wise
Evidencing the possession of inside information
Clever
Skillful in achieving goals.
He used clever tactics to win the game.
Wise
Able to take a broad view of negotiations between states
Wise
Carefully considered;
A considered opinion
Wise
Understanding life’s complexities.
His wise words provided comfort during difficult times.
FAQs
Is cleverness always positive?
Cleverness is generally positive but can be perceived negatively if used for deceitful purposes.
What does it mean to be wise?
Being wise means having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
How is cleverness different from wisdom?
Cleverness involves quick thinking and resourcefulness, whereas wisdom involves deep understanding and sound judgment.
Can young people be wise?
While wisdom is often associated with age, young people can be wise if they show deep understanding and good judgment.
How can one become wise?
Wisdom typically develops through life experiences, learning, and reflection.
Do wise people always make the right decisions?
Wise people strive to make sound decisions, but they are not infallible.
Can someone be both wise and clever?
Yes, an individual can possess both wisdom and cleverness.
How does society view clever individuals?
Society appreciates clever individuals for their quick solutions and wit.
What are the traits of a clever person?
A clever person is quick-thinking, resourceful, inventive, and often witty.
What professions benefit from wisdom?
Professions like counseling, teaching, and leadership benefit from wisdom.
What is a wise action?
A wise action is one that considers long-term benefits and ethical implications.
What professions benefit from cleverness?
Professions like advertising, engineering, and technology benefit from cleverness.
Are clever solutions always quick?
Clever solutions are often quick but focus on effectiveness and creativity.
Why is wisdom valued in leadership?
Wisdom is valued in leadership for its ability to guide others with sound judgment and experience.
Is cleverness innate or learned?
Cleverness can be both innate and developed through practice and experience.
How does society view wise individuals?
Society often respects and seeks the counsel of wise individuals.
Can wisdom be taught?
While wisdom can be shared and learned, it is often deeply personal and experiential.
Can cleverness be improved?
Yes, cleverness can be improved through mental exercises and creative problem-solving.
What is a clever action?
A clever action is one that solves a problem quickly and inventively.
Are wise decisions always slow?
Wise decisions are thoughtful but not necessarily slow; they aim for thoroughness.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
