Nature shows that with the growth of intelligence comes increased capacity for pain, and it is only with the highest degree of intelligence that suffering reaches its supreme point.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Greater intelligence brings a greater capacity for pain, and the most intelligent suffer the most.
- In plain terms
- The smarter you are, the more you can feel pain.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that intelligence can increase sensitivity to suffering.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does your intelligence affect your emotional life?
- Can you mitigate suffering while staying smart?
Another view
Some highly intelligent people develop coping mechanisms that lessen pain.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
Because people have no thoughts to deal in, they deal cards, and try and win one another's money. Idiots!
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