Men of the most brilliant intelligence can be born, live and die in error and falsehood. In them, intelligence is neither a good, nor even an asset. The difference between more or less intelligent men is like the difference between criminals condemned to life imprisonment in smaller or larger cells. The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like a condemned man who is proud of his large cell. [p.69]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Intelligence without truth is useless; pride in it is like pride in a prison cell.
- In plain terms
- Being smart does not make you good or free.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not take pride in intelligence alone.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is intelligence inherently valuable?
Another view
Intelligence is still a useful asset even if not a moral good.
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