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About this quote

What does it mean?
Having intelligence isn't enough; you must use it correctly.
In plain terms
Use your mind well, not just have a good one.
What can you take from it?
Apply your intelligence wisely to succeed.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • decision-making
  • career

Putting it to work

  • practice critical thinking
  • avoid bias
  • seek truth

Questions to consider

  • How do you use your mind?
  • Is a good mind enough?

Another view

Some people with great minds still fail due to luck or circumstance.

More from Rene Descartes

  1. Variants: Good sense is of all things in the world the most equally distributed, for everybody thinks he is so well supplied with it, that even those most diff…

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Of all things, good sense is the most fairly distributed: everyone thinks he is so well supplied with it that even those who are the hardest to satisfy in ever…

    Permalink to quote #5

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