Intelligence Quote by L.E. Modesitt Jr
““Intelligence is overrated by any species that has it, and that's provable by the fact that all intelligent species are outlived by a factor of a hundred to one, if not a thousand to one, by nonintelligent species, who don't have the brains or perversity to destroy themselves or their environments.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Magic of the Lost City by L.E. Modesitt Jr, 1996
Intelligence can be a liability because it often leads to self‑destruction, while less intelligent species survive longer.
In simple terms: Smartness may cause downfall; simple beings endure.
Key Takeaway
Beware hubris; value humility.
Themes
hubris
survival
evolution
environment
self‑destruction
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- species competition
- technology development
- environmental policy
- long‑term planning
Key Concepts
ecology
anthropocentrism
existential risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How does intelligence increase risk?
- What can simple species teach us about sustainability?
A Different Perspective
Intelligence alone does not guarantee survival; cooperation and restraint matter.
