Why is judgment more valuable than knowledge?

Okay, this is a fascinating question that gets to the heart of wisdom and personal growth. Let me share my thoughts in plain language.

Why is Judgment More Valuable Than Knowledge?

Simply put, think of it this way: Knowledge is the map, while judgment is the navigation system that helps you decide which path to take and how to handle unexpected road conditions.

You could have the world's most detailed map (vast knowledge), but it's pretty useless if you don't know where you're going, how to choose the best route based on weather, road conditions, and your own stamina.

Let's break down why this "navigator" (judgment) is more critical than the map itself:

1. Knowledge are "Points," Judgment is the "Lines" and "Planes"

Knowledge is usually fragmented facts and information. For example:

You know Apple's financial data from last year. (A data point)
You know the latest macroeconomic policies. (Another data point)
You know an emerging new technology. (Yet another data point)

These are all isolated "points." Judgment, however, is the ability to connect these points into "lines" and "planes." It prompts you to think:

"Based on Apple's earnings, the current economic climate, and this emerging tech trend, should I buy, hold, or sell Apple stock now? How much capital should I deploy?"

You see, the latter is the decision that truly impacts your financial situation. Pure knowledge makes you a "know-it-all"; possessing judgment makes you a "decision-maker."

2. In the Information Age, Knowledge Has Become "Cheap"

In the past, those who possessed knowledge held power. Accessing knowledge was limited, requiring years of dedicated study.

But today? We live in an era of information explosion. With an internet connection, you can find out almost anything you want in seconds using Google, Zhihu, or AI. Knowledge itself is no longer scarce; it's as accessible as air and water.

What's truly scarce is the ability to sift through massive, often unreliable information, identify the valuable parts, and use them to make sound decisions. That's judgment. When everyone can get the recipe (knowledge), the skilled chefs (those with judgment) who can create Michelin-starred meals become priceless.

3. Judgment Directly Leads to Results

Knowledge itself doesn't create value. The decisions made by applying knowledge do.

A freshly graduated medical student might recite medical theory flawlessly, better than many experienced doctors. That's knowledge.
An experienced chief physician, faced with a patient exhibiting complex symptoms, can combine the patient's demeanor, the family's account, and key test results to quickly diagnose the most likely cause and prescribe the most effective treatment. That's judgment.

The patient needs the latter. Your boss, your clients, your life – they all need that judgment that leads to good outcomes, not a walking encyclopedia.

Naval (referenced in the tags, a prominent thinker and investor) put it well: In the long run, society rewards your judgment, not your labor.

So, How Do We Develop Our Judgment?

Given its importance, judgment isn't innate; it's more like a craft you can hone through practice.

Build the Foundation (Broad Knowledge Exposure): While we said judgment trumps knowledge, judgment doesn't float in thin air. It requires a broad knowledge base. Read books from various fields – history, psychology, physics, economics... These foundational subjects become the raw material for your "connecting points."
Learn to Use "Mental Models": This is like installing different "software" for your brain. For example, use the "Compound Interest" model for thinking about long-term growth, "First Principles" for getting to the root of problems, or "Opportunity Cost" for evaluating choices. These models help structure scattered knowledge, making your decisions more logical.
Do More, Make Mistakes, and Review: Judgment is honed through repeated decision-making. Don't fear making mistakes, especially on low-stakes issues. Crucially, after every decision, regardless of the outcome, look back: How was I thinking? What went right? Where did I go wrong? How can I improve next time? This process of reviewing your performance is key to rapid growth in judgment.
Learn From People Who Get Results: Observe and learn from people you admire who have achieved tangible results in their field. Study how they make decisions, understanding the logic behind their actions, rather than just listening to what they say.

To Summarize:

In a world where knowledge is literally at your fingertips, knowledge is your ammunition; judgment is your scope and trigger.

Winning the battle often doesn't depend on who has more ammunition, but on who can aim in the right direction and pull the trigger at the crucial moment. Similarly, what determines our life's altitude and sense of fulfillment isn't how much we know, but the critical choices we make at life's crossroads.