Inspiration vs. Influence: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 8, 2023
Inspiration refers to the stimulation of the mind or emotions to create or act, while influence is the capacity to affect the behavior, development, or decisions of others.
Key Differences
Inspiration is often an internal spark that ignites creativity or prompts action within an individual. It's the intangible force that encourages new ideas or motivates someone to accomplish something. On the contrary, influence is an external force or power that can shape or modify one's behavior, decisions, or perspectives.
Inspiration usually has an emotional or intellectual resonance, driving people to feel or think in a particular manner. It can be spontaneous, stemming from moments of clarity or epiphany. Influence, however, often operates through persuasion, authority, or past experience, leading one to adopt specific behaviors, beliefs, or decisions.
While inspiration can be fleeting, coming in sudden bursts and then fading, influence tends to be more persistent and pervasive. The impact of influence can be long-lasting, molding an individual's habits, decisions, and worldview over time.
Inspiration is generally seen as a positive force, motivating people to achieve their best, chase their passions, or overcome obstacles. While influence can also be positive, it carries the potential to be manipulative or coercive, depending on the intent of the influencer.
Sources of inspiration can be varied – from nature, art, and personal experiences to historical events. Influence, on the other hand, is often linked to individuals, institutions, media, or cultural norms that wield some form of power or authority.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Stimulation of mind/emotions
Capacity to affect behavior or decisions
Source
Internal spark or external stimuli
External individuals, media, or institutions
Duration
Can be fleeting
Often more lasting
Effect
Motivates creativity or action
Shapes behavior or perspectives
Nature
Generally positive
Can be positive or negative
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Inspiration and Influence Definitions
Inspiration
Divine guidance or influence exerted on the mind.
Many artists claim their works come from a higher inspiration.
Influence
A person or thing with the capacity to have an effect on someone.
He was a major influence in the music industry.
Inspiration
The process of being mentally or emotionally stimulated.
The scenic view provided the artist with the inspiration he needed.
Influence
The power derived from status, contacts, or importance.
Using her influence, she secured a job for her brother.
Inspiration
A person or thing that evokes admiration or creativity.
She cited her grandmother as her chief inspiration in life.
Influence
The act of producing effects on actions, behavior, or opinions.
The media's influence on public opinion is undeniable.
Inspiration
The excitement of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity
A singer who found her inspiration in popular songs of the 1920s.
Influence
A power to sway based on prestige or ability.
The influence of classical literature remains strong in academia.
Inspiration
The condition of being so excited
Sat down to write in a sudden burst of inspiration.
Influence
A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort
The pervasive influence that TV has on modern life.
Young people falling under the influence of a radical philosopher.
Inspiration
The quality of being so excited, as manifested in something
A painting full of inspiration.
Influence
Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position
Used her family's influence to get the job.
Inspiration
A person or thing that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention
Gandhi has been an inspiration to political reformers for decades.
Influence
A person who exerts such power
My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
Inspiration
Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired
Had an inspiration and saw a way to solve the problem.
Influence
A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
Inspiration
Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on a human mind or soul.
Influence
Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.
Inspiration
The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.
Influence
To have an influence on (something); change
A news report that influenced the outcome of the election.
Inspiration
The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of respiration.
Influence
To change the behavior or thinking of (someone); sway
Negative ads that are intended to influence voters.
Inspiration
(countable) A breath, a single inhalation.
Influence
The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.
I have absolutely no influence over him.
Inspiration
A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies people to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.
Influence
An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
I'm not able to exercise influence over him.
Inspiration
The act of an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity.
She was waiting for inspiration to write a book.
Usage notes: In this sense, it may be followed by the adposition to in relation to the person being influenced, and for or to in relation to the idea or activity:
Influence
A person or thing exerting such power or action.
He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.
Inspiration
A person, object, or situation which quickens or stimulates an influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity.
The trip was an inspiration to her for writing a book.
Influence
(astrology) An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
Inspiration
A new idea, especially one which arises suddenly and is clever or creative.
Influence
(obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.
Inspiration
The act of inspiring or breathing in; breath; specif. (Physiol.), the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm; - the opposite of expiration.
Influence
(electricity) Electrostatic induction.
Inspiration
The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc.
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations.
Influence
(transitive) To have an effect on by using gentle or subtle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.
The politician wants to influence the public.
I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life.
Inspiration
A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
The age which we now live in is not an age of inspiration and impulses.
Influence
(intransitive) To exert, make use of one's influence.
Inspiration
Arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
Influence
To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.
Inspiration
A product of your creative thinking and work;
He had little respect for the inspirations of other artists
After years of work his brainchild was a tangible reality
Influence
A flowing in or upon; influx.
God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.
Inspiration
A sudden intuition as part of solving a problem
Influence
Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, physical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which affects, modifies, or sways; as, the influence which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers, of the stars over affairs.
Astrologers call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects.
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
She said : "Ah, dearest lord! what evil starOn you hath frown'd, and poured, his influence bad?"
Inspiration
(theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings;
They believe that the books of Scripture were written under divine guidance
Influence
Power or authority arising from elevated station, excelence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the community.
Such influence hath your excellency.
Inspiration
Arousing to a particular emotion or action
Influence
Induction.
Inspiration
The act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
Influence
To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to affect; to move; to persuade; to induce.
These experiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo as in the open air, and therefore are not influenced by the weight or pressure of the atmosphere.
This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to influence their faith and practice, if they attend.
The principle which influenced their obedience has lost its efficacy.
Inspiration
A sudden creative idea or insight.
Reading her story was the inspiration behind his novel.
Influence
A power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc;
Used her parents' influence to get the job
Inspiration
Arousing to a particular emotion or action.
Her bravery served as an inspiration to all.
Influence
Causing something without any direct or apparent effort
Influence
A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do;
Her wishes had a great influence on his thinking
Influence
The effect of one thing (or person) on another;
The influence of mechanical action
Influence
One having power to influence another;
She was the most important influence in my life
He was a bad influence on the children
Influence
Have and exert influence or effect;
The artist's work influenced the young painter
She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
Influence
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Influence
Induce into action by using one's charm;
She charmed him into giving her all his money
Influence
The power to change or affect someone or something.
Parents have a significant influence on their children's values.
FAQs
What's a common source of artistic inspiration?
Nature, emotions, and personal experiences often serve as artistic inspirations.
Can inspiration come from influence?
Yes, external influences can often inspire individuals in various ways.
How can media exert influence?
Media can shape perceptions, opinions, and behaviors through content and narratives.
Can influence be unintentional?
Yes, people or things can unknowingly influence others just by their presence or actions.
Can a person be both an inspiration and an influence?
Absolutely, someone can inspire with their achievements and influence with their actions or advice.
How can one find inspiration when feeling stagnant?
Seeking new experiences, reading, traveling, or introspection can reignite inspiration.
Are influencers always aware of their influence?
Not always. Some may be oblivious to the impact they have on others.
Can inspiration be negative?
While inspiration is typically seen as positive, it can arise from negative events or emotions.
Is self-inspiration possible?
Certainly, reflecting on one's achievements or capabilities can be a source of self-inspiration.
What's the connection between inspiration and innovation?
Inspiration often drives innovation by fueling new ideas and approaches.
What's a historical figure known for their influence?
Figures like Martin Luther King Jr. wielded significant influence in civil rights movements.
How does culture play a role in inspiration?
Culture provides a backdrop of values, stories, and symbols that can inspire individuals.
Can inspiration be cultivated?
Yes, by surrounding oneself with stimulating environments, experiences, or people.
How do personal values relate to inspiration?
Values shape what one finds meaningful or uplifting, guiding sources of inspiration.
Is parental influence decisive in shaping a child's future?
While it plays a significant role, many factors, including personal experiences and choices, shape one's future.
How does peer pressure relate to influence?
Peer pressure is a form of social influence where individuals are pushed to conform to group norms.
Does music serve as a source of inspiration?
Absolutely, many find inspiration in music's melodies, lyrics, and emotions.
Can governments influence public opinion?
Yes, through policies, propaganda, or public communications.
Can societal norms influence personal decisions?
Yes, societal norms often have a strong influence on individual choices and behaviors.
Can businesses exert influence on consumer behavior?
Yes, through marketing, branding, and product design.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
