Intelligence vs. Cunning — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Intelligence involves intellectual capabilities and knowledge, while cunning is about shrewdness, often with deceitful or manipulative intent.
Difference Between Intelligence and Cunning
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Intelligence is the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge. It encompasses reasoning, problem-solving, and the capacity to grasp complex ideas. Cunning, on the other hand, is a type of intelligence but is often associated with being shrewd or astute in a deceitful or manipulative manner.
While intelligence is a broader concept linked to mental capabilities and the ability to comprehend and reason, cunning is more about practical intelligence used for personal gain, often without regard for moral or ethical boundaries. Intelligence is admired and sought after, while cunning, though sometimes effective, is often viewed negatively.
Intelligence can be used in various fields for the betterment of society, innovation, and advancement. Cunning, however, is usually self-serving, focused on trickery or manipulation to achieve a specific goal, often at the expense of others.
Intelligence is often measured through various cognitive tests and academic achievements, reflecting a person’s intellectual capacity. Cunning is more about street-smartness and the ability to navigate complex social situations, sometimes through deceit.
Both intelligence and cunning involve the use of mental faculties, but their applications and ethical implications often set them apart. Intelligence is generally seen as a positive trait, while cunning, although it can be effective, carries a more negative connotation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to learn, understand, apply knowledge
Shrewdness, often with deceitful intent
Associated With
Reasoning, problem-solving
Manipulation, trickery
Perception
Generally viewed positively
Often viewed negatively
Application
Broad, for various purposes
Typically for personal gain
Measurement
Cognitive tests, academic achievements
Practicality, street-smartness
Compare with Definitions
Intelligence
Ability to learn and apply knowledge.
Her intelligence was evident in her quick grasp of complex concepts.
Cunning
Astuteness used for personal gain.
She used her cunning to outsmart her rivals.
Intelligence
Proficiency in learning and adapting.
His intelligence enabled him to excel in different fields.
Cunning
Sly intelligence, often unethical.
Despite his cunning tactics, he was eventually caught.
Intelligence
Intellectual capability and knowledge.
Her intelligence was not just academic; she had emotional intelligence too.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Intelligence
Capacity for logic and understanding.
His intelligence allowed him to solve problems that baffled others.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Intelligence
Aptitude for grasping ideas and reasoning.
Her intelligence shone in debates, showcasing her analytical skills.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Intelligence
An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Intelligence
(countable) An entity that has such capacities.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Intelligence
, often secret, about an enemy or about hostile activities.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Intelligence
(dated) acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
Cunning
Knowing; skillful; dexterous.
"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Esau was a cunning hunter.
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
Cunning
The faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose; fraudulent skill or dexterity; deceit; craft.
Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
Cunning
Attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness;
A cute kid with pigtails
A cute little apartment
Cunning kittens
A cunning baby
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
Cunning
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Intelligence
The operation of gathering information about an enemy
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception or manipulation.
His cunning plan involved tricking his competitors.
Cunning
Cleverness in achieving goals through deceit.
His cunning was evident in the way he manipulated the situation.
Cunning
Street-smartness, often with trickery.
Her cunning allowed her to survive in a tough environment.
Common Curiosities
Is intelligence always related to academic performance?
Not necessarily. Intelligence includes various forms, including emotional and creative intelligence.
Can cunning be used positively?
While often viewed negatively, cunning can sometimes be used positively in strategic thinking.
Is cunning a form of intelligence?
Cunning can be considered a form of practical intelligence, but it's often associated with deceit.
Can intelligence be developed?
Yes, intelligence can be developed and nurtured through education and experience.
Is cunning more about innate ability or learned behavior?
Cunning can be both an innate ability and a learned behavior, depending on the individual.
Does intelligence guarantee success?
Intelligence can contribute to success, but it doesn’t guarantee it; factors like emotional intelligence and hard work also play roles.
Can someone be cunning but not intelligent in the traditional sense?
Yes, someone can be cunning in practical situations without being traditionally intelligent.
Can someone be intelligent without being cunning?
Yes, intelligence and cunning are separate traits; one can be intelligent without being cunning.
Is cunning linked to survival instincts?
Cunning can be linked to survival instincts, especially in challenging or competitive environments.
Is intelligence measurable?
Intelligence can be measured to some extent, but no test can capture its full breadth.
Is it ethical to use cunning in business?
Using cunning in business can raise ethical questions, especially if it involves deceit or manipulation.
Does intelligence relate only to cognitive abilities?
Intelligence encompasses more than cognitive abilities; it includes emotional and social intelligence as well.
Are cunning people always successful in their endeavors?
Not always. Cunning can lead to short-term gains but might not lead to long-term success.
Can intelligence change over time?
Intelligence can evolve and change, influenced by experiences and learning.
Can education affect one’s level of intelligence?
Education can enhance and refine intelligence, but it's not the only factor influencing it.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
