Let me take once again a rough parable. Suppose I…
““Let me take once again a rough parable. Suppose I advertised in the papers that I had a place for any one who was too stupid to be a clerk. Probably I should receive no replies; possibly one. Possibly also (nay, probably) it would be from the one man who was not stupid at all. But suppose I had advertised that I had a place for any one who was too clever to be a clerk. My office would be instantly besieged by all the most hopeless fools in the four kingdoms. To advertise for exceptions is simply to advertise for egoists. To advertise for egoists is to advertise for idiots. It is exactly the bore who does think that his case is interesting. It is precisely the really common person who does think that his case is uncommon. It is always the dull man who does think himself rather wild. To ask solely for strange experiences of the soul is simply to let loose all the imbecile asylums about one's ears.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People who seek only exceptional or ego‑driven roles attract the same unqualified, self‑absorbed individuals they hope to avoid.
In simple terms: Seeking uniqueness draws the same kind of people you want to exclude.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hiring based on ego or rarity.
Themes
ego
exceptionality
recruitment
human nature
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- job ads
- team building
- leadership decisions
- personal branding
Key Concepts
self‑deception
social dynamics
identity
paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly qualifies a candidate beyond ego?
- How can you attract both competence and humility?
A Different Perspective
The logic assumes all “exceptional” seekers are foolish, ignoring genuine talent.