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About this quote

What does it mean?
Intellects are categorized by their ability to understand independently, learn from others, or neither.
In plain terms
The best minds understand on their own; good ones learn from others; the rest understand neither.
What can you take from it?
Value independent understanding most.

Where it applies

  • education
  • hiring
  • self-improvement

Putting it to work

  • seek original thinkers
  • test understanding
  • mentor others

Questions to consider

  • How do you learn best?
  • Do you value original thought?

Another view

Collaboration matters more than raw individual intellect sometimes.

More from Niccolo Machiavelli

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  2. There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth; but when everyon…

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  3. A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers. From the latter he is def…

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