There is a difference between smart and intelligent. Smart people, of which I know many, could answer any question from a textbook off of the top of their heads. They could recite the Declaration of Independence to you. They could solve algebraic equations. Intelligent people however, of which I know very few in this general vicinity, can form their own opinions based on small piece of things they have learned. They base their opinions on what they believe from what they know. They are not ignorant because they do not make decisions or form opinions on things they know nothing about. They make these…judgements isn’t a wonderful word but the only one that seems to make sense in this context…anyway, they make these judgements about things because they have taken the time to gain facts about them, to hear other experiences, to see things from an outside perspective and make their own decisions or analysis. After they have made this assessment, they stick to it unless they are blatantly proven wrong. And if they are proven wrong, there is no defense mechanism, there is acceptance and open mindedness. Intelligent is based on the word intellectual, a person of superior intellect. I, personally, feel that intellect comes from within and from knowing yourself before you can make . It does not come from learning things, although education is highly valued in my book.