--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everything great and intelligent is in…" description: "\"Everything great and intelligent is in the minority\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_great_everything-great-and-intelligent-is-in-t_2535786.jpg" --- # Everything great and intelligent is in the minority ![“Everything great and intelligent is in the minority” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_great_everything-great-and-intelligent-is-in-t_2535786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_great_everything-great-and-intelligent-is-in-t_2535786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_great_everything-great-and-intelligent-is-in-t_2535786.jpg) > “Everything great and intelligent is in the minority” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intelligence and excellence are rare, held by few individuals. **In simple terms:** Great talent is scarce. Key Takeaway Recognize and value rare talent. Themes rarity intelligence excellence Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - education - innovation - talent scouting Key Concepts philosophy human nature Questions to Reflect On - How can societies nurture minority brilliance? - What biases hide exceptional minds? A Different Perspective Rare talent may be overlooked in mass cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Minority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minority/) ## Related quotes > [Revolutions can no longer be achieved by minorities. 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He'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-re-interested-in-matching-your-mind-with-the-most-intelligent/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [God is intelligent; but in what manner? Man is intelligent by the act of reasoning, but the supreme intelligence lies under no necessity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/god-is-intelligent-but-in-what-manner-man-is-intelligent-by-the-act/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [An intelligent person can rationalize anything, a wise person doesn't try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-knox/an-intelligent-person-can-rationalize-anything-a-wise-person-doesn-t/) Jen Knox > [We can't help being thirsty, moving toward the voice of water. Milk drinkers draw close to the mother. 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Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-p-bush/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. 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