Intelligence:
Intelligence is a process, or an innate capacity to use information in order to respond to ever-changing requirements. It is a capacity to acquire, adapt, modify, extend and use information in order to solve problems. Therefore, intelligence is the ability to cope with unpredictable circumstances. But intelligence is not merely analytical: to survive and flourish in society, we must also have social and emotional intelligence.
Intelligence involves a capacity to adapt and learn that has been accumulated throughout our species’ development, yet intelligence is something we have by virtue of our individual genetic inheritance.
By assiduous practice we can become more skilled.
By diligent study and careful observation we can become more knowledgeable.
But there is no way we can personally become significantly more intelligent. You can no more double your natural intelligence than you can double your natural height.
Knowledge:
Knowledge is the collection of skills and information, a person has acquired through experience. Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge. Just because someone lacks knowledge of a particular subject doesn’t mean they can’t apply their intelligence to help solve problems.
Knowledge is wonderful, but it fades as techniques and technologies come and go. Intelligence sustains. Its borders extend beyond any technique or technology, and that makes all the difference.
You can have a lot of knowledge, or capacity, and still not be too intelligent, mostly because you don’t do anything with what you know, or with your potential. Intelligence is how knowledge is applied, how it is used to create, to make something new, imagine a new idea. We learn something and we build on it. That’s a real demonstration of intelligence.
Intelligence and knowledge are highly respected in this world. And in the developed world, it seems they are most respected as the means of gaining something. Intelligence, that rare and wonderful gift humans are graced with, is often rewarded with money, fame, recognition and respectability. Thus, it should be respected and honored most by those who possess it, and put to good use.
So what is Brilliance then?
Brilliance shines a light on others. Brilliance illuminates, makes
things brighter and better for everyone. Brilliance utilizes not just
intelligence, but that rare quality called wisdom. One aspect of wisdom
is the ability to use intelligence intuitively, so that the outcome is a
positive one for all, not for a few.
The next time you call someone brilliant, think about whether they’re
just really smart, or whether their intelligence contains within it a
spark of wisdom that shines from them onto others, and whether that
intelligence will affect the future by lighting the way. Illumination
is the mark of brilliance.
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