--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The intelligent altruists, though less…" description: "\"“The intelligent altruists, though less altruistic than the unintelligent altruists, will be fitter than both unintelligent altruists and selfish indiv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df6/adam-m-grant-1427_economics_the-intelligent-altruists-though-less-al_250305.jpg" --- # The intelligent altruists, though less altruistic than the… ![“The intelligent altruists, though less altruistic than the unintelligent altruists, will be fitter than both unintelligent altruists and selfish individuals. —Herbert Simon, Nobel Prize winner in economics” quote by Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df6/adam-m-grant-1427_economics_the-intelligent-altruists-though-less-al_250305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df6/adam-m-grant-1427_economics_the-intelligent-altruists-though-less-al_250305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df6/adam-m-grant-1427_economics_the-intelligent-altruists-though-less-al_250305.jpg) > ““The intelligent altruists, though less altruistic than the unintelligent altruists, will be fitter than both unintelligent altruists and selfish individuals. —Herbert Simon, Nobel Prize winner in economics”” [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intelligent altruists, though less selfless than naive altruists, are more evolutionarily fit than both selfish people and unintelligent altruists. **In simple terms:** Smart helpers are more successful than pure selfishness or naive kindness. Key Takeaway Cultivate informed, strategic helping. Themes cooperation evolution ethics intelligence Mood analytical thought‑provoking Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - business leadership - public policy - community organizing - education programs Key Concepts game theory social dynamics evolutionary biology Questions to Reflect On - What does “intelligent altruism” mean to you? - Can strategic helping be truly selfless? A Different Perspective Strategic altruism may overlook genuine compassion; measuring “intelligence” is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruistic Unintelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruistic-unintelligent-2491567/) [Altruists Altruistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruists-altruistic-2491568/) [Altruists Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruists-selfish-2491565/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Intelligent Altruists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent-altruists-2491564/) [Nobel prize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobel-prize/) [Unintelligent Altruists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unintelligent-altruists-2491566/) ## Related quotes > [The intelligent altruists, though less altruistic than unintelligent altruists, will be fitter than both unintelligent altruists and selfish individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-intelligent-altruists-though-less-altruistic-than-unintelligent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In a recent study comparing every Nobel Prize–winning scientist from 1901 to 2005 with typical scientists of the same era, both groups attained deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/in-a-recent-study-comparing-every-nobel-prize-winning-scientist-from/) [Adam M. 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