Cleverness Quote by Hermann Hesse
““Half smiling, with imperturbable brightness and friendliness, the Buddha looked steadily at the stranger and dismissed him with a hardly visible gesture. 'You are clever, O Samana,' said the Illustrious One, 'you know how to speak cleverly, my friend. Be on your guard against too much cleverness.””
About This Quote
The Buddha cautions against excessive cleverness, warning that over‑intellectualizing can obscure genuine insight and lead to ego.
In simple terms: Don’t be too clever.
Key Takeaway
Balance intellect with humility.
Themes
wisdom
humility
mindfulness
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- teaching
- daily interactions
Key Concepts
ego
intellectualism
Questions to Reflect On
- When has cleverness misled you?
- How can you stay grounded?
A Different Perspective
Cleverness can become a barrier to truth.
