Word of the Day: Naive vs Gullible

Today's word(s) might start a series on misinterpretation of similar words as I've had this discussion with a number of people lately and we all seem to have differing views of the truth, or perceived truth, which I prefer to call reality (but don't get me started on what constitutes reality).

Main Entry: gull·ible: easily duped or cheated
Main Entry: na·ive: deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment

The argument goes like this: Someone is being cheated on but is too a.) gullible or b.) naive to change the situation.

I argue for the use of gullible if the offending partner is doing something specific to 'dupe' or 'trick' his partner into believing he is not cheating, when in fact he is. The one who is being duped has efficient worldly wisdom and judgement to discern the partner is cheating, but is being tricked into believing something entirely different.

I argue for the use of naive if the offending partner believes he is being completely inconspicuous, though his partner totally knows he's doing it and is choosing for whatever reason to 'ignore' it or does not have sufficient wisdom or judgement to make the change.

You may ask, why have this discussion at all. Well, the question arose as to whether it is possible to be both gullible and suspicious at some point and yet grow out of it or overcome it. It seems to me that the two traits are so evenly balanced on a scale, and so precariously close to the center of the scale (read: teeter-totter) that there is no possible way to rid yourself of them.