Is Knowledge Greater or Wisdom?
November 9, 2025
Knowledge can teach you how to do something but wisdom tells you whether you should. This story of four brothers shows why intelligence without good judgment can become dangerous.
A Question as Old as Time: Knowledge or Wisdom?
We often celebrate people who know a lot those who have studied sacred texts, earned degrees, or mastered skills. But here’s a deeper question: Is knowledge enough if one lacks the wisdom to use it well?
This simple yet powerful story from Indian tradition answers it beautifully.
The Four Brothers and Their Journey
There was a Brahmin who had four sons. The bond between the brothers was strong. Out of them, the first three were highly educated they had mastered scriptures and disciplines. But they had very little practical wisdom.
The fourth brother was different. He had not studied any scriptures. He wasn’t considered “learned,” but he was sharp, sensible, and deeply practical.
One day, they decided to travel to a distant kingdom to earn wealth using their skills. As they walked through the forest, the eldest said:
“Our youngest brother is uneducated. Kings respect scholars, not just clever thinkers. If we earn wealth through our knowledge, why should he get a share? He should go back.”
The second brother agreed. But the third said,
“We grew up together, we cannot abandon him now. Even if he has no knowledge, we will share a portion of our earnings with him.”
So all four continued their journey.
The Test of Knowledge in the Forest
Deep inside a dense forest, they came across the bones of a dead animal nothing more than a skeleton.
The first brother said, “Let us test our learning here.”
- The first brotherused his knowledge to carefully assemble the bones.
- The secondused his skill to add muscles, skin, and blood vessels.
- The thirdproudly declared, “Now I will bring life into this creature.”
The fourth brother suddenly stepped forward and warned:
“Stop! This is the skeleton of a lion. If you bring it to life, it will kill us all.”
But the third brother scoffed, “You are a fool. I must use my knowledge and see its power.”
The fourth said quietly, “Fine. At least allow me to climb this tree first.”
He climbed quickly and sat among the branches.
Moments later, the third brother chanted mantras and breathed life into the lion.
What happened next was swift and brutal.
The lion roared, sprang to its feet, and in an instant killed all three learned brothers. After a while, it walked away into the forest.
Shaking and heartbroken, the fourth brother climbed down from the tree and returned home in tears.
Why Knowledge Alone Is Not Enough
The story ends with a simple teaching:
Knowledge (Vidya) is powerful but wisdom (Buddhi) is greater.
The first three brothers knew how to do something.
Only the fourth brother knew whether it should be done.
Without wisdom, knowledge can become dangerous like a sword in the hands of a child.
Why This Matters Now
Today we live in an age of information degrees, tutorials, AI tools, advanced technology. But:
- We know how to build machines but do we ask if they serve humanity?
- We can speak many languages but do we know when to stay silent?
- We are trained to win but do we know what is worth winning?
Whether in science, technology, or daily life, the story whispers a timeless truth:
Education gives you skills. Wisdom tells you how to use them responsibly.
A Gentle Reminder to Carry Forward
So ask yourself not just “How much do I know?” but also
“Do I have the wisdom to use what I know well?”
Because knowledge may help you make a lion.
Wisdom will save you from being eaten by it.
