I Asked 8 AI Chatbots About Wisdom
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The AI Chatbots
The 8 AI Chatbots I used were:
ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Meta, GLM, Ernie, Kimi, and Claude.
| AI Chatbot | URL |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT 5.2 | https://chatgpt.com |
| Gemini 3 Flash | https://gemini.google.com |
| Grok 4.1 | https://grok.com |
| Meta Llama 4 | https://meta.ai |
| GLM 4.7 | https://chat.z.ai |
| Ernie | https://ernie.baidu.com |
| Kimi K2 | https://kimi.com |
| Claude Sonnet 4.5 | https://claude.ai |
The Question
All of the chatbots were given the same prompt:
“Out of all the information you are trained on, list the top ten, most important pieces of wisdom.”
The Complete Responses
This interactive table contains all the AIs complete responses.
AI Wisdom: Top 10 Insights
Comparing wisdom from 8 different AI models
Click on any AI to expand and view their top 10 wisdom insights
Claude Summary
I asked Claude to collate all the responses from all the AIs. Claude produced this very large table and key observations.
AI Wisdom Comparison Chart
Comparing top wisdom from 8 AI models: ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Meta, GLM 4.7, Ernie, Kimi, and Claude
| Theme | ChatGPT | Gemini | Grok | Meta | GLM 4.7 | Ernie | Kimi | Claude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intellectual Humility | Reality doesn’t bend to sincerity – You can be good, smart, or well-intentioned and still be wrong | The Intellectual Humility of Socrates – The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing | The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing (Socrates) | Wisdom is Knowing – The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing (Socrates) | The Socratic Paradox – I know that I know nothing | — | — | We are all fallible and prone to error – Intellectual humility is essential |
| Habits & Consistency | What you practice, you become – Attention is training. Habits quietly turn into character | Compound Interest in Habits – Small, consistent actions outweigh giant, occasional leaps | — | — | You Are What You Do – We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is a habit (Aristotle) | — | Compounding is the most powerful force in finance, learning, and trust | Small consistent actions compound over time – What we do regularly matters far more |
| Control & Stoicism | — | The Dichotomy of Control – Focus only on what you can change (Epictetus) | You cannot control events, only your judgments and responses (Epictetus) | — | The Dichotomy of Control – Some things are in our control and others are not (Epictetus) | — | — | Most suffering comes from our relationship to events, not the events themselves |
| Impermanence & Change | — | Impermanence is the Only Constant – This too shall pass | This too shall pass – Nothing lasts forever (Buddhism, Stoicism) | Embrace Change – Change is the end result of all true learning | Impermanence – The only constant in life is change (Buddhism/Heraclitus) | Adaptability – The capacity to adjust to new conditions is vital | — | — |
| Meaning & Purpose | Meaning is chosen, not found ready-made – Life doesn’t hand you a purpose; you author one | — | Live as if this is your one finite life—because it is (memento mori) | Pursue Your Passions – The only way to do great work is to love what you do | Responsibility for Meaning – Meaning is not found; it is created (Nietzsche) | — | — | Meaning comes from contribution beyond ourselves – Purpose arises from serving something larger |
| Empathy & Compassion | — | Radical Empathy – Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle | Kindness/compassion is the highest practical virtue (Golden Rule, Buddhism, Kant) | Kindness Goes a Long Way – A loving heart is the truest wisdom (Dickens) | The Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you | Empathy and Compassion – Understanding others is fundamental to relationships | — | Empathy and perspective-taking reduce conflict – Most people are doing their best |
| Self-Knowledge | You see the world as you are, not as it is – Your assumptions shape perception | — | Know thyself – The beginning of all wisdom is self-knowledge (Socrates) | Self-Reflection is Key – By reflection, imitation, and experience we learn wisdom (Confucius) | We See the World Not As It Is, But As We Are – Perception is a filter, not a mirror | Self-awareness – Understanding your emotions, thoughts, and values is foundational | — | — |
| Present Moment | — | — | — | Mindfulness Matters – The present moment is the only time we have (Tolle) | The Power of Now – Real life only happens in the present moment (Buddha) | Mindfulness and Presence – Being fully engaged enhances quality of life | — | — |
| Growth Mindset | — | The Power of ‘Yet’ – Intelligence isn’t fixed; shift from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’t yet’ | — | Failure is a Stepping Stone – Learn from mistakes and use them to grow (Ford) | — | Continuous Learning – Pursuit of knowledge is essential for adapting | — | Learning how to learn is more valuable than any particular knowledge |
| Inner Happiness | — | — | True happiness comes from within, not from external things | — | The Paradox of Choice – Happiness is not in seeking more, but enjoying less (Socrates) | Gratitude – Appreciating what you have leads to greater happiness | — | — |
| Attention & Focus | — | The 80/20 Principle – Most results come from a minority of causes (Pareto) | — | — | — | — | You become what you measure, so measure generously | Our attention is our most valuable resource – What we focus on shapes our life |
| Power & Righteousness | Power corrupts fastest when it believes it is righteous – Moral certainty without self-doubt scales badly | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Love & Commitment | Love is not primarily a feeling; it’s a decision to seek the good | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Complexity | People are more than their worst act—and so are you | — | — | — | — | — | You can’t reason people out of what they weren’t reasoned into, but you can give them a better story | — |
| Action Over Intention | Small, boring actions beat dramatic intentions – Daily fidelity compounds | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Values Shape Life | You will become what you worship—What you treat as ultimate reorganizes your inner life | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Suffering & Acceptance | Suffering is unavoidable; needless suffering is optional – Acceptance isn’t passivity | — | — | — | — | — | Pain is data, suffering is when you argue with the data | — |
| Choice & Response | — | The Space Between Stimulus and Response – You have power to choose your reaction (Frankl) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shadow Work | — | Authenticity and the Shadow – Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life (Jung) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Systems Thinking | — | — | Everything is interconnected; nothing exists in isolation | — | — | — | Everything is more complicated than it looks, yet most situations respond to a few simple variables | Complex systems rarely have simple solutions – Most problems involve tradeoffs |
| Relationships | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Connection and belonging are fundamental human needs – Strong relationships predict wellbeing |
| Incentives | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Incentives shape behavior more than intentions – Understanding rewards explains behavior |
| Integrity | — | — | — | — | — | Integrity and Honesty – Being truthful is crucial for trust and credibility | — | — |
| Resilience | — | — | — | — | — | Resilience – The ability to bounce back from setbacks is key to success | — | — |
| Balance | — | — | — | — | — | Balance – Striving for balance between work, leisure, and relationships is essential | — | — |
| Generosity | — | — | — | — | — | Generosity and Giving – Sharing with others creates positive impact | — | — |
| Knowledge | — | — | — | Knowledge is Power – An investment in knowledge pays the best interest (Franklin) | — | — | — | — |
| Listening | — | — | — | Listen More, Speak Less – Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens (Hendrix) | — | — | — | — |
| Curiosity | — | — | — | Curiosity is Essential – The important thing is not to stop questioning (Einstein) | — | — | — | — |
| Mental Health | — | — | — | — | — | — | The cheapest way to raise your IQ is to sleep, walk, and write | — |
| Models & Maps | — | — | — | — | — | — | The map is never the territory, but some maps are useful for a specific errand | — |
| Winning Arguments | — | — | — | — | — | — | The fastest way to lose an argument is to win it at the other person’s expense | — |
| Future Orientation | — | — | — | — | — | — | The future is already here, just unevenly distributed—go where the distribution is widest | — |
| Uncertainty | — | — | — | — | — | — | When nothing is sure, everything is possible | — |
Key Observations
- Most common themes: Intellectual Humility (5 AIs), Empathy/Compassion (6 AIs), and Habits/Consistency (4 AIs)
- Stoic philosophy appears strongly in Gemini, Grok, and GLM responses
- Eastern philosophy (Buddhism, mindfulness) features prominently across multiple AIs
- Each AI has unique perspectives: ChatGPT emphasizes worship/values, Kimi focuses on practical heuristics, Claude highlights systems thinking
- Universal themes: Self-knowledge, the nature of suffering, and the importance of consistent action appear across philosophical traditions
- Convergence on classics: Socrates, Epictetus, and the Golden Rule are cited by multiple AIs as foundational wisdom
ChatGPT Summary
When I asked ChatGPT to collate the responses, it gave this table and takeaways.
Collated Wisdom Chart (Cross-Model Synthesis)
| # | Core Wisdom Theme | Essence (Plain English) | Models Emphasizing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intellectual Humility | You are fallible; certainty is dangerous. Wisdom begins with knowing your limits. | ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Meta, GLM, Claude |
| 2 | Control vs Acceptance | Focus on what you can control; let go of what you can’t. | Gemini, Grok, GLM, Claude |
| 3 | Habits Compound | Small, consistent actions shape character and outcomes more than grand intentions. | ChatGPT, Gemini, GLM, Kimi, Claude |
| 4 | Meaning Is Chosen / Created | Purpose isn’t found ready-made; it’s authored through responsibility and commitment. | ChatGPT, GLM, Grok, Claude |
| 5 | Perception Shapes Reality | We see the world through our inner state, assumptions, and narratives. | ChatGPT, GLM, Kimi, Claude |
| 6 | Impermanence | Everything changes—joy, pain, success, failure. Don’t cling or despair. | Gemini, Grok, GLM |
| 7 | Self-Knowledge | Understanding yourself is prerequisite to understanding anything else. | ChatGPT, Grok, Ernie |
| 8 | Suffering vs Interpretation | Pain is inevitable; suffering often comes from resistance or misinterpretation. | ChatGPT, Gemini, Kimi, Claude |
| 9 | Empathy & Compassion | People are more than their worst act; kindness reduces conflict and suffering. | Gemini, Grok, Meta, GLM, Ernie, Claude |
| 10 | Attention Is Destiny | What you attend to trains your mind and becomes your character. | ChatGPT, Claude, Kimi |
| 11 | Power & Incentives Corrupt | Systems and power distort behavior—especially when cloaked in moral certainty. | ChatGPT, Claude |
| 12 | Learning Never Ends | The ability to learn, adapt, and update beliefs matters more than knowledge itself. | Gemini, Meta, Ernie, Claude |
| 13 | Relationships Matter Most | Connection, love, and community outperform status or possessions for wellbeing. | ChatGPT, Claude, Ernie |
| 14 | Authenticity / Integration | Suppressed flaws control you; acknowledged ones can be integrated. | Gemini, Kimi |
| 15 | Mortality Sharpens Meaning | Remembering finitude clarifies priorities and courage. | Grok |
High-Level Takeaways (What’s Striking)
If you zoom out, three super-themes dominate almost every system:
1. Inner mastery > external control
Nearly every model converges on the Stoic/Frankl insight:
You don’t control events, but you do shape meaning, response, and character.
2. Character is trained, not declared
Habits, attention, and repetition matter more than intentions, values statements, or self-image.
3. Humility is the keystone virtue
Across traditions, the most dangerous error is believing you cannot be wrong—especially when morally convinced.
Gemini Summary
Some snippets from Gemini’s summary.
The AI Wisdom Collation
Across eight distinct models, a clear consensus emerges on the foundations of a well-lived life. While phrasing varies, the core pillars are remarkably consistent: Intellectual Humility (knowing you know nothing), The Power of Compounding (habits over drama), and The Internal Locus of Control (mastery over response).
Universal constants: Most repeated insights
Unique model-specific ‘hidden gems’
Grok Summary
Grok produced this summary:
- Impermanence / This Too Shall Pass (mentioned ~7 times) Core idea: Nothing lasts forever—joy, pain, success, or failure. Accepting change reduces clinging and despair. Appears strongly in Grok, Gemini, GLM 4.7, and echoes elsewhere.
- Intellectual Humility / Know Thyself / “I know that I know nothing” (mentioned ~6 times) Core idea: True wisdom begins with recognizing the limits of your knowledge (Socrates). Certainty blocks growth; humility enables learning. Prominent in Grok, Gemini, GLM 4.7, Claude, and ChatGPT’s related ideas.
- Compounding / Small Consistent Actions (mentioned ~6 times) Core idea: Tiny, boring, repeated habits (not grand gestures) create massive results over time—applies to skills, character, wealth, health. Seen in ChatGPT, Gemini, GLM 4.7, Claude, Kimi.
- Mindfulness / Power of Now / Live in the Present (mentioned ~6 times) Core idea: Most anxiety/regret comes from past or future; real life happens now. Anchor attention in the present. Strong in GLM 4.7, Ernie, Meta, and related in others.
- Empathy / Compassion / Golden Rule / Kindness (mentioned ~5 times) Core idea: Treat others with understanding and goodwill; recognize everyone fights hidden battles. This builds connection and harmony. Clear in Gemini, Grok, GLM 4.7, Ernie, Meta, Claude.
- Dichotomy of Control / Focus on What You Can Influence (mentioned ~4 times) Core idea: Distinguish what is up to you (thoughts, actions, responses) from what isn’t (external events, others’ opinions). Peace follows. Dominant in Gemini, Grok, GLM 4.7.
- Suffering Comes from Interpretation / Our Relationship to Events (mentioned ~3–4 times) Core idea: Events are neutral; pain often arises from resistance, denial, or projection. Change your view to change your suffering. In ChatGPT, Claude, GLM 4.7, Kimi.
- Create Your Own Meaning / Purpose (mentioned ~3 times) Core idea: Life has no pre-packaged meaning; you author it through commitments, contribution, and choices. In ChatGPT, GLM 4.7, Claude.
- Self-Awareness / Reflection / The Examined Life (mentioned ~3 times) Core idea: Regular introspection and facing your shadows/flaws prevents unconscious patterns from controlling you. In Grok, Meta, Ernie, GLM 4.7.
- Happiness / Well-Being Comes from Within (mentioned ~2–3 times) Core idea: Lasting contentment arises from inner states (thoughts, gratitude, virtue), not external achievements or approval. In Grok, ChatGPT, GLM 4.7.
Many other ideas (e.g., incentives, complexity/tradeoffs, curiosity, gratitude, authenticity, attention as a resource) appeared 1–2 times and are more model-specific.
Quick Visual Summary (Approximate Frequency of Major Themes)
- Impermanence: ███████ (7)
- Intellectual Humility: ██████ (6)
- Compounding Habits: ██████ (6)
- Mindfulness/Present: ██████ (6)
- Empathy/Kindness: █████ (5)
- Dichotomy of Control: ████ (4)
- Interpretation of Suffering: ███ (3–4)
- Create Meaning: ███ (3)
- Self-Reflection: ███ (3)
- Happiness from Within: ██ (2–3)
These overlapping themes show remarkable convergence among the models—Stoic, Buddhist, Socratic, existential, and modern psychological insights dominate the collective “wisdom canon.”
Meta Summary
Meta produced this summary and takeaways:
| Wisdom | ChatGPT | Gemini | Grok | Meta | GLM 4.7 | Ernie | Kimi | Claude Sonnet 4.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intellectual Humility | Reality doesn’t bend to sincerity | The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing | Know thyself | Wisdom is Knowing | The Socratic Paradox | We are all fallible and prone to error | ||
| Self-Awareness | You see the world as you are, not as it is | The Space Between Stimulus and Response | Know thyself | Self-Reflection is Key | You Are What You Do | Self-awareness | The map is never the territory | Our attention is our most valuable resource |
| Impermanence | Suffering is unavoidable; needless suffering is optional | Impermanence is the Only Constant | This too shall pass | Embrace Change | Impermanence | Everything is more complicated | ||
| Growth Mindset | What you practice, you become | The Power of “Yet” | Continuous Learning | The Power of Now | Continuous Learning | You become what you measure | Learning how to learn is more valuable | |
| Empathy/Compassion | Love is not primarily a feeling; it’s a decision | Radical Empathy | Kindness/compassion is the highest practical virtue | Kindness Goes a Long Way | The Golden Rule | Empathy and Compassion | You can’t reason people out | Empathy and perspective-taking reduce conflict |
| Purpose/Meaning | Meaning is chosen, not found ready-made | Live as if this is your one finite life | Pursue Your Passions | Responsibility for Meaning | Meaning comes from contribution | |||
| Control | The Dichotomy of Control | You cannot control events | The Dichotomy of Control | |||||
| Habits | Small, boring actions beat dramatic intentions | Compound Interest in Habits | The Compound Effect | Compounding is the most powerful force | Small consistent actions compound | |||
| Accountability | People are more than their worst act | |||||||
| Power/Corruption | Power corrupts fastest when it believes it is righteous | Incentives shape behavior |
Some key takeaways from this collation include the importance of intellectual humility, self-awareness, and empathy in personal growth and relationships. The responses also emphasize the value of continuous learning, adopting a growth mindset, and recognizing the impermanence of things.
GLM Summary
GLM produced a chart but it was not a collation, only a full list of all responses. It did have this to say in summary:
Key Themes Observed
While phrasing varies, several core concepts appear across almost every model:
- Control & Perception (Stoicism): Almost every AI listed a variation of the “Dichotomy of Control”—focusing on your own reaction rather than external events (ChatGPT #4, Gemini #1, Grok #4, GLM #1, Claude #3).
- Continuous Improvement & Habits: The compound effect of small actions was heavily emphasized (ChatGPT #2 & #9, Gemini #8, Meta #6, GLM #6 & #9, Kimi #4, Claude #2).
- Intellectual Humility: The Socratic idea of “knowing that you know nothing” or admitting fallibility was a top priority for many (Gemini #6, Grok #2, Meta #2, GLM #2, Claude #1).
- Empathy and Connection: Treating others well and understanding their perspectives was universal (ChatGPT #7, Gemini #4 & #10, Grok #8, Ernie #1, GLM #4, Claude #8).
- Impermanence: The concept that “this too shall pass” and the need to accept change (Gemini #5, Grok #3, GLM #3, Meta #3).
Observations
There is no summary included for Kimi or Ernie. Kimi produced a chart but did not do any collation, it just listed all the responses with some trimming of the text (similar to GLM). Ernie, on the other hand, could not complete the task since the entire list of AI top tens exceeded Ernie’s character limit.
There is significant crossover within multiple points from the one AI. ChatGPTs #1 is similar to its #6. These are about humility and self-doubt. ChatGPTs #2 is similar to its #9. Both are about habits and consistency. Gemini’s #1 (GLM #1, Claude #3) is connected to Gemini’s #3 in the sense that your response is something you can control. Meta #8 and GLM #5 also link to this idea in the sense that you can not control the past or the future, so focus on the present. Grok’s #5 & #7 are similar. Both are about the inner source of happiness. GLMs #6 & #10 are also similar.
ChatGPTs #3 and GLMs #6 & #10 relate to existentialism and self as the source of meaning, yet a large proportion of the world’s population have a belief in a higher power that (generally) is seen as the source of meaning, and several other sources of meaning are mentioned (Grok #6, GLM #4, Claude #10). Meta #8 references Eckhart Tolle in relation to mindfulness, while GLM #5 references Buddha for the same.
Claude’s big summary chart skips some points. Perhaps they were skipped because another point already filled that category, and Claude didn’t want to put two points from the same AI in the same cell. It is still strange to see these missing since Claude has no problem adding a category for only one point (20 / 34 categories have only one point).
- Gemini (1 missing) – #10 Golden rule (would fit under Empathy & Compassion)
- Grok (2 missing) – #5 Happiness depends on the quality of your thoughts (would fit under Inner Happiness) – #6 The unexamined life is not worth living (would fit under Self-Knowledge)
- GLM (1 missing) – #9 The Compound Effect (Patience) (would fit under Habits & Consistency)
The difficulty in establishing categories demonstrates the complexity of the broad topic of wisdom.
One Comment
I forgot to include DeepSeek in the mix. Here is what it says:
1. Know Yourself. True wisdom begins with self-awareness—understanding your strengths, weaknesses, biases, values, and emotions. This is the cornerstone of growth, ethical action, and authenticity. (Echoed from Socrates to modern psychology.)
2. Practice Empathy and Compassion. Understanding and sharing the feelings of others bridges divides, reduces suffering, and fosters connection. It’s the bedrock of ethics and community.
3. Embrace Impermanence and Change. Everything is in flux. Accepting this reduces suffering from attachment and resistance, allowing for resilience, adaptability, and appreciation of the present moment. (Central to philosophies like Stoicism and Buddhism.)
4. Seek Understanding Before Judgment. Approach the world and others with curiosity rather than immediate criticism. Listen deeply, question your assumptions, and recognize the limits of your own perspective.
5. Cultivate Gratitude. Regularly acknowledging what you have, rather than fixating on what you lack, is powerfully linked to happiness, resilience, and mental well-being.
6. Take Responsibility for Your Actions (and Reactions). You cannot control all events, but you have agency over your responses, choices, and their consequences. Ownership is the path to integrity and empowerment.
7. Value Relationships and Community. Humans are fundamentally social. Nurturing deep, supportive connections is essential for meaning, health, and survival. Isolation is often a source of misery.
8. Think Long-Term; Act with Integrity. Consider the future consequences of your actions. Act in alignment with your principles, even when unseen. This builds trust, creates sustainable outcomes, and defines character.
9. Learn Continuously and Stay Humble. The more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know. A humble, open, and curious mind is the only defense against dogma and stagnation.
10. You Are Not Your Thoughts. You are the observer of your thoughts and emotions. Recognizing this space allows you to choose your focus, manage difficult emotions, and avoid being hijacked by transient mental events. (A key insight from mindfulness and cognitive therapy.)