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About this quote

What does it mean?
People consistently overestimate how smart the average person is.
In plain terms
You usually think others are smarter than they actually are.
What can you take from it?
Adjust your expectations about general intelligence levels.

Where it applies

  • customer service
  • teaching

Putting it to work

  • clarify instructions
  • avoid jargon

Questions to consider

  • Do you underestimate or overestimate others?
  • How does this affect communication?

Another view

This view can be patronizing to the average person.

More from Henry Adams

  1. The work of internal government has become the task of controlling the thousands of fifth-rate men.

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  2. Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.

    Permalink to quote #47
  3. The woman who is known only through a man is known wrong.

    Permalink to quote #44

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