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I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more…

“I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too.” quote by Euripides
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“I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too.”

Euripides

About This Quote

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

Choosing moral character over intelligence, even if the person lacks knowledge, is preferable to cleverness paired with wickedness.

In simple terms: Goodness outweighs cleverness when evil is involved.

Key Takeaway

Value integrity over intellect.

Themes

morality character wisdom

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • friendship
  • leadership
  • team building
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

ethical choice human nature

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it better to be kind and ignorant or smart and harmful?
  • How do you assess character versus competence?
A Different Perspective

Cleverness can be useful in non‑ethical contexts.

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