You can tell if a person is clever by its answers. You can tell if a person is wise by its questions...

It sounds wise, right?

But if we’re being real, this quote is just a more poetic way of saying:

"Some people love to sound smart, but they’ve got no idea what’s going on."

Think about it: cleverness means quick responses, impressive comebacks, and perfect timing.

It’s the stuff that makes us think, "Wow, this person is really sharp!"

But here’s the secret that clever people don’t want you to know: half the time, they’re just winging it. Clever people know how to sound like they have the answers—even if they’re pulling them out of thin air. They’re the first to jump in with a solution, even if they’ve only caught half of the problem, and they’ll do it with a straight face, like they’re Einstein reincarnated.

Clever? Sure. Wise? Not quite.

Wisdom, on the other hand, is a different game.

Wise people sit back, stay quiet, and start asking questions. And not just any questions—questions that make you feel like you’ve been mentally hit by a bus.

They ask questions that leave you rethinking your choices, your values, maybe even why you got out of bed this morning. And why? Because wise people aren’t worried about showing off; they’re looking for the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it doesn’t come with a round of applause.

So, the next time someone throws out a clever answer, ask yourself: are they actually adding anything to the conversation, or are they just showing off their verbal acrobatics?

And when someone asks a question that makes you pause—pay attention.

Because while cleverness can entertain, wisdom transforms.

So, keep the clever remarks—I’ll take the questions that make you think twice.

Silvia