Paine really was a stupid fellow wasn't he? He's got that entirely arse-about-face. The bright can imagine what it's like to be stupid by (1) remembering the last time they were seriously ill, or (2) recalling their efforts at anything they've attempted at which they proved deeply untalented.
My conscience impels me to disassociate the original (and best) Thomas Paine from that sentiment, which was entirely and humbly mine. Pace dearieme, I stand by it. I even pay dearieme the compliment of claiming his comment as proof of its accuracy.
According to the English dictionary, the word "some" does not mean "I" or "you". It represents an unspecified number of individuals.
Thus, to take any generalization any other way would be an assumption and nothing more.
Yes, truly intelligent people know how limited they are. Seeking validation, and using social engineering to manipulate other people's perceptions, is actually a sign of weakness.
So is someone truly intelligent if they let their ego get in the way of things?
I find the vast majority of intelligent people usually need to fill some sort of void to make up for the fact that they are not perfect. I call this the pompous ass syndrome.
The truth can never be found by using words alone. However, the sword of any tongue can manipulate perception until what is believed becomes the word.
History is merely the big lie any majority agrees to believe in.
Surely stupidity implies a lack of imagination. Intelligence implies imagination and empathy. But everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
ReplyDeletePaine really was a stupid fellow wasn't he? He's got that entirely arse-about-face. The bright can imagine what it's like to be stupid by (1) remembering the last time they were seriously ill, or
ReplyDelete(2) recalling their efforts at anything they've attempted at which they proved deeply untalented.
I have found that the stupidist people think they're the smartest. Truly intelligent people recognize how limited they are.
ReplyDeleteSome intelligent people lack common sense though, so ultimately they are stupid also.
ReplyDeleteMy conscience impels me to disassociate the original (and best) Thomas Paine from that sentiment, which was entirely and humbly mine. Pace dearieme, I stand by it. I even pay dearieme the compliment of claiming his comment as proof of its accuracy.
ReplyDeleteOur version of Tom Paine is one of the smarter ones. That statement explains so much that is wrong with our society.
ReplyDeleteDelicious and I'm as Anon says - intelligent to a point but with no common sense.
ReplyDeleteI like this one especially:
I have found that the stupidist people think they're the smartest. Truly intelligent people recognize how limited they are.
According to the English dictionary, the word "some" does not mean "I" or "you". It represents an unspecified number of individuals.
ReplyDeleteThus, to take any generalization any other way would be an assumption and nothing more.
Yes, truly intelligent people know how limited they are. Seeking validation, and using social engineering to manipulate other people's perceptions, is actually a sign of weakness.
So is someone truly intelligent if they let their ego get in the way of things?
I find the vast majority of intelligent people usually need to fill some sort of void to make up for the fact that they are not perfect. I call this the pompous ass syndrome.
The truth can never be found by using words alone. However, the sword of any tongue can manipulate perception until what is believed becomes the word.
History is merely the big lie any majority agrees to believe in.
I don't unnerstand :(
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about it Pisces- I can't even spell stupidest. :)
ReplyDeleteMy brain hurts.
ReplyDelete