Climbs Quote by Don Winslow
“Smart people sometimes get stupid, but stupid people never get smart. Never. Ever. 'You can come down the evolutionary ladder,' Chon has observed to Ben and O; 'you can't climb up.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2019
Intelligence can be fleeting; once lost, it may never be regained, highlighting the asymmetry of learning and forgetting
In simple terms: Smart people can become stupid, but the reverse is rare
Key Takeaway
Guard knowledge and stay humble
Themes
knowledge
humility
learning
forgetting
evolutionary psychology
Mood
cautious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- education
- career development
- personal growth
- decision making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
neuroplasticity
lifelong learning
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we protect our mental sharpness?
- What habits prevent stagnation?
A Different Perspective
Intelligence decline can be mitigated with effort
![“I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb [to Everest] was George Lowe: he was strong, a good man on a mountain, with a great sense of humour, and I liked that. I think George and I could've done that together ... I've probably never told George that.” quote by Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/165/edmund-hillary-3760_climbs_i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-on_12447.jpg)
