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About this quote

What does it mean?
Intelligent people often feel isolated by ignorance, but their worth is shown by how well they tolerate others.
In plain terms
Smart people are often surrounded by less smart people, but patience defines them.
What can you take from it?
Practice patience with those less knowledgeable.

Where it applies

  • workplace dynamics
  • educational settings
  • social interactions

Putting it to work

  • mentoring others
  • practicing patience

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle ignorance?
  • Do you feel isolated often?

Another view

Tolerance can sometimes enable harmful ignorance.

More from Derek R. Audette

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  2. Sanity can take one of two forms: That of either ignorance, or denial.

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  3. Infinity is just zero spelled backwards.

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