Wisdom comes from within. Knowledge is acquired and can sometimes

The words of A. R. Rahman flow like a river of quiet truth: “Wisdom comes from within. Knowledge is acquired and can sometimes put a screen on your wisdom.” In this simple utterance lies a distinction that has guided sages and seekers since the dawn of time. Knowledge is the gathering of facts, the memorizing of laws, the accumulation of teachings handed down from others. Wisdom, however, is the flame within the soul, born of reflection, humility, and inner vision. Knowledge can be taught by teachers and books; wisdom is whispered by the heart itself.

Rahman warns us that too much emphasis on acquired knowledge can sometimes obscure the deeper voice of wisdom. When the mind becomes cluttered with facts, data, and theories, it risks mistaking accumulation for understanding. The student who recites a thousand pages may still fail to act justly, while the simple soul who has never opened a book may speak words of profound truth. The screen of knowledge is like smoke—it dazzles the mind with cleverness, yet may hide the eternal light of inner knowing.

History bears witness to this tension. Think of Socrates, who declared himself the wisest man in Athens because he knew that he knew nothing. The scholars and sophists of his time were proud of their knowledge, yet their cleverness often blinded them to their own ignorance. Socrates, listening to the quiet voice within, pierced through false certainty and led others toward truth. His wisdom came not from accumulation, but from humility, from listening, from within.

Another story is found in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He was trained in law, filled with the knowledge of courts and statutes. Yet when he returned to India, he found that legal knowledge alone could not free his people. It was his inner wisdom—his understanding of truth, nonviolence, and the dignity of the human soul—that became the guiding light of a nation’s liberation. Had he relied only on the knowledge of books, his spirit might have been shackled by technicalities. But by heeding the voice within, he became a beacon to millions.

The meaning of Rahman’s words is clear: knowledge is a tool, but wisdom is the master. Knowledge can enrich us, guide us, and prepare us for life. Yet when we mistake it for the highest good, when we cling too tightly to the authority of books and experts, we may silence the quiet murmur of our own conscience. Knowledge without wisdom is like a sword in the hands of a child—powerful, but dangerous. Wisdom without knowledge is like a lamp with little oil—true in spirit, but in need of strength. The two must serve one another, but wisdom must always lead.

The lesson for us is profound: cultivate knowledge, but do not be enslaved by it. Read, study, and learn—but never forget to listen to the voice within, the voice of compassion, humility, and truth. When faced with choices, do not ask only, “What do I know?” but also, “What is right? What does my spirit reveal?” Wisdom is the compass; knowledge is the map. Without the compass, the map leads astray.

Therefore, O seeker, do not let the screen of knowledge blind you to the eternal flame of wisdom. Use learning as a servant, not as a master. In every moment, let your mind be enriched by study, but let your soul be guided by the truth that dwells within. For wisdom is not given from the outside, but drawn from the wellspring of the heart. And if you hold to that, then knowledge will not cloud your path but will shine as a faithful torch, illuminating the road that your wisdom has already chosen.