You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tellwhether a man is wise by his questions.
Naguib Mahfouz, writer (1911- )
A clever man will always tell you answers. He will tell you things you may not even care about. His purpose is to impress. To be more accurate, his purpose is, like that of Narcissus, to see himself reflected in the reaction on your face.
It may be arrogance, hubris or insecurity that causes him to seek areaction from you. You are the fulfillment of the need of a clever man.You are the audience that satisfies his need.
A wise man will not try to convince you of anything. A wise man istrying to build himself, not to build you. He asks questions because he wants to learn more. He needs to learn more because he is aware of how little he knows about so many things. He is aware less of what he knows than of what he does not yet know.
A wise man will not proselytize you. If you are willing and eager, he may guide you to find your own answers. He will not push you because he is on his own quest.
