Believe Quote by Fran Lebowitz
![“There's also the idea in this country [USA], it's not wholly new, but it's new in its kind of purity, in that you have to be really smart to be really rich. I always say to people, the reason people believe this is a) they've never met a really smart person, and b) they've never met a really rich…” quote by Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/fran-lebowitz-690_believe_there-s-also-the-idea-in-this-country-us_480145.jpg)
“There's also the idea in this country [USA], it's not wholly new, but it's new in its kind of purity, in that you have to be really smart to be really rich. I always say to people, the reason people believe this is a) they've never met a really smart person, and b) they've never met a really rich person. I have met both, and I cannot see the crossover. You do not have to be a genius to get rich. You have to be ruthless to get rich.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
Intelligence and wealth are not strongly correlated; ruthlessness matters more for riches.
In simple terms: Smartness ≠ riches; ruthlessness helps.
Key Takeaway
Focus on determination over intellect.
Themes
wealth
intelligence
ethics
success
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- entrepreneurship
- investment
- career advancement
Key Concepts
Economic disparity
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- Is ruthlessness necessary for success?
- Can intelligence be leveraged ethically?
A Different Perspective
Ruthlessness can lead to unethical behavior.
![“[Friendships] are easy to get out of compared to love affairs, but they are not easy to get out of compared to, say, jail.” quote by Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdb/fran-lebowitz-690_affair_friendships-are-easy-to-get-out-of-compa_77324.jpg)
![“I do not think everyone is created equal. In fact, I know they're not. [The Constitution] means that everyone should have the same laws as everyone else. It doesn't mean that everyone's as smart or as cute or as lucky as everyone else.” quote by Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/356/fran-lebowitz-690_constitution_i-do-not-think-everyone-is-created-equal_123740.jpg)
