"The seat of knowledge is in the head; of wisdom, in the heart. We are sure to judge wrong, if we do not feel right"

William Hazlitt highlights a contrast between knowledge and wisdom by locating them in different realms of human experience. Knowledge is linked to the head, suggesting it is a product of intellect, rationality, and factual understanding. The accumulation of knowledge depends on study, memory, reasoning, and clear thought. It resides in our capacity to analyze, categorize, and process information, offering us the means to solve problems and understand concepts objectively.

On the other hand, wisdom is associated with the heart, a metaphor for emotion, empathy, and moral intuition. Wisdom involves discernment, sensitivity to context, and a deep understanding of human nature and ethical nuance. While knowledge can equip someone to make choices, wisdom guides those choices toward goodness and fairness. It shapes the quality of judgment, rooted not only in logic but also in compassion and sincerity.

Hazlitt asserts that correct judgment requires more than just intellectual correctness; it demands that our feelings align with ethical and humane principles. To “feel right” is to cultivate empathy and a genuine concern for others. Without this, even the most knowledgeable person can err gravely in judgment. Strict rationality may neglect important human elements, kindness, justice, and respect.

This perspective challenges the overvaluation of mere intellect or technical know-how. It is possible to reason perfectly yet make choices that are cold, unkind, or even harmful if one’s heart is untouched. Conversely, wisdom combines understanding with emotional competence. Ensuring our feelings are upright and our motivations are sound gives integrity to our judgments and decisions.

Ultimately, Hazlitt’s insight calls for harmony between mind and heart. Only by balancing thought and feeling can one exercise sound judgment and truly benefit oneself and others. Knowledge charts the course, but wisdom animates it with meaning.