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If all good people were clever; and all clever people were…

“If all good people were clever; and all clever people were good, the world would be nicer than ever what it possibly could. But somehow 'tis seldom or never the two hit it off as they should; the good are so harsh to the clever,the clever so rude to the good.” quote by Elizabeth Wordsworth
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““If all good people were clever; and all clever people were good, the world would be nicer than ever what it possibly could. But somehow 'tis seldom or never the two hit it off as they should; the good are so harsh to the clever,the clever so rude to the good.””

Elizabeth Wordsworth

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Goodness and cleverness rarely align; when they do, society improves, but mismatches cause friction.

In simple terms: Good and clever often clash.

Key Takeaway

Encourage collaboration between moral and intellectual strengths.

Themes

ethics intelligence society

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • leadership
  • policy making
  • community projects

Key Concepts

moral philosophy cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we bridge moral and intellectual divides?
  • What systems reward both goodness and cleverness?
A Different Perspective

Intellectual elitism can alienate moral voices.

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