Mendel Quote by John le Carré
““changeful, occasionally wise and sympathetic. He knew how intelligent men could be broken by the stupidity of their superiors, how weeks of patient work night and day could be cast aside by such a man. Mendel””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, John le Carré, 1963
Intelligent people can be crushed by foolish superiors, and hard work can be undone by a single poor decision.
In simple terms: Smart people suffer under stupid leaders; effort can be wasted.
Key Takeaway
Beware authority and protect diligent work.
Themes
power
intelligence
leadership
work ethic
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- corporate management
- military command
- academic research
- personal projects
Key Concepts
psychology
organizational behavior
human frailty
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you safeguard your work from poor decisions?
- What signs indicate a leader’s incompetence?
A Different Perspective
Even wise leaders can make disastrous choices that nullify effort.
![“originality" is everyone's aim, and novel techniques are as much prized as new scientific discoveries. [T.S.] Eliot states it with surprising naïveté: "It is exactly as wasteful for a poet to do what has been done already as for a biologist to rediscover Mendel's discoveries.” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa8/randall-jarrell-3811_aim_originality-is-everyone-s-aim-and-novel_641026.jpg)
![“We don't ask for opinions on our outfit all the time - but for a big of event, like the Emmys, absolutely. I actually sent my sister a picture of the [J Mendel] dress I wore to the Emmys before I chose it, and she was obsessed. She was like, "Oh, I want that." And I said, "Let me wear it first!"” quote by Kate Mara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d8/kate-mara-16974_asks_we-don-t-ask-for-opinions-on-our-outfit_330475.jpg)
![“Not that he [Uzbek] rejected Mendel's proposals or rebelled against his decisions; but he exercised a subtle, passive abrasion against every active thrust: like dust in a watch, Mendel thought to himself. He's got dust in him, even though he is young. It's stupid to say the young are strong. You…” quote by Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f4/primo-levi-2751_quote_not-that-he-uzbek-rejected-mendel-s-prop_920500.jpg)
