--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being clever was, after all, my primary…" description: "\"“Being clever was, after all, my primary source of self-esteem. I’m a very sad person, in all senses of the word, but at least I was going to get into ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/462/alice-oseman-32847_clever_being-clever-was-after-all-my-primary-so_3109154.jpg" --- # Being clever was, after all, my primary source of… ![“Being clever was, after all, my primary source of self-esteem. I’m a very sad person, in all senses of the word, but at least I was going to get into university.” quote by Alice Oseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/462/alice-oseman-32847_clever_being-clever-was-after-all-my-primary-so_3109154.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/462/alice-oseman-32847_clever_being-clever-was-after-all-my-primary-so_3109154.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/462/alice-oseman-32847_clever_being-clever-was-after-all-my-primary-so_3109154.jpg) > ““Being clever was, after all, my primary source of self-esteem. I’m a very sad person, in all senses of the word, but at least I was going to get into university.”” [Alice Oseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-oseman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self-worth tied to intellect can mask deeper sadness. **In simple terms:** Cleverness fuels self-esteem but hides sorrow. Key Takeaway Seek deeper self-acceptance beyond intellect. Themes self-esteem intelligence mental health Mood melancholic reflective Type literary psychological When to use this quote - education - personal relationships - mental health counseling Key Concepts identity self-worth Questions to Reflect On - What other sources can build healthy self-esteem? - How can one balance academic ambition with emotional wellbeing? A Different Perspective Intelligence alone cannot guarantee happiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clever/) [Clever Primary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clever-primary-5424281/) [Esteem Sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem-sad-5424280/) [Primary source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/primary-source/) [Sad person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sad-person/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) ## Related quotes > [What we want to help children with is, just because you feel sad or happy or depressed doesn't mean that is who you are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldie-hawn/what-we-want-to-help-children-with-is-just-because-you-feel-sad-or/) [Goldie Hawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldie-hawn/) > [“Of course, you never really forget anyone, but you certainly release them. 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I honestly dont know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-not-depressed-just-stressed-and-confused-im-not-happy-at-all-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The person who loves you more, will fight with you daily without any reason. But whenever you're sad, that person will fight with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-person-who-loves-you-more-will-fight-with-you-daily-without-any-2/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) ## More by Alice Oseman > [“She's happy with who she is. Maybe it's not the heteronormative dream that she grew up wishing for, but... knowing who you are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-oseman/she-s-happy-with-who-she-is-maybe-it-s-not-the-heteronormative-dream/) [Alice Oseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-oseman/) > [“I don't think anyone deserves disaster. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-oseman/it-s-just-that-it-s-not-socially-acceptable-to-say-sad-stuff-out-loud/) [Alice Oseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-oseman/) [Explore all 15 Alice Oseman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-oseman/) ## More Clever quotes > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [You're beautiful, cute, pretty, gorgeous, and fuck.. 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