--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For geniuses, they are really dumb,” she…" description: "\"“For geniuses, they are really dumb,” she said. “Some of them are really pampered: They can’t even put together a cardboard box. They don’t think you d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/michael-lewis-705_dumb_for-geniuses-they-are-really-dumb-she-sa_2856889.jpg" --- # For geniuses, they are really dumb,” she said. “Some of… ![“For geniuses, they are really dumb,” she said. “Some of them are really pampered: They can’t even put together a cardboard box. They don’t think you do something. They think you call somebody.” quote by Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/michael-lewis-705_dumb_for-geniuses-they-are-really-dumb-she-sa_2856889.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/michael-lewis-705_dumb_for-geniuses-they-are-really-dumb-she-sa_2856889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/michael-lewis-705_dumb_for-geniuses-they-are-really-dumb-she-sa_2856889.jpg) > ““For geniuses, they are really dumb,” she said. “Some of them are really pampered: They can’t even put together a cardboard box. They don’t think you do something. They think you call somebody.”” [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Geniuses are portrayed as lacking practical skills, suggesting that intellectual brilliance doesn’t guarantee everyday competence. **In simple terms:** Intelligence doesn’t equal practical ability. Key Takeaway Develop both mental and practical skills. Themes intelligence practicality skill gaps stereotype Mood critical reflective Type non‑fiction social commentary When to use this quote - career development - training programs - life coaching Key Concepts cognitive bias skill transfer education Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance intellectual and practical growth? - What training bridges theory and everyday tasks? A Different Perspective The view may unfairly generalize all high‑IQ individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Geniuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/geniuses/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Really dumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-dumb/) ## Related quotes > [“I'm dumb," the first one said, their footsteps receding, "not stupid".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-m-goeglein/i-m-dumb-the-first-one-said-their-footsteps-receding-not-stupid/) [T.M. Goeglein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-m-goeglein/) > [Marketing is not inherently bad. That's just dumb. That's said by somebody that isn't doing enough work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-scher/marketing-is-not-inherently-bad-that-s-just-dumb-that-s-said-by/) [Paula Scher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-scher/) > [The book of love has music in it In fact that's where music comes from Some of it is just transcendental Some of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gabriel/the-book-of-love-has-music-in-it-in-fact-that-s-where-music-comes/) [Peter Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gabriel/) > [I tried to laugh early on about ego and pride... I do something great and then I do something really dumb and then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-ashford/i-tried-to-laugh-early-on-about-ego-and-pride-i-do-something-great/) [Matthew Ashford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-ashford/) > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [“As near as I can make out, geniuses think they know it all, and so they won't take people's advice, but always go their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/as-near-as-i-can-make-out-geniuses-think-they-know-it-all-and-so-they/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [All children are born geniuses, and we spend the first six years of their lives degeniusing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/all-children-are-born-geniuses-and-we-spend-the-first-six-years-of/) [R. 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Write a show about geniuses!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lin-manuel-miranda/you-know-what-s-a-great-way-of-tricking-people-into-thinking-you-re-a/) [Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lin-manuel-miranda/) > [The life's story of great geniuses is a sad one, without much tangible reward, which does not inspire future generations to face a similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/the-life-s-story-of-great-geniuses-is-a-sad-one-without-much-tangible/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-is/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [Hollywood has the idea that movies have to be dumb. But especially movies for or about teenagers have to be really dumb!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/hollywood-has-the-idea-that-movies-have-to-be-dumb-but-especially/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) ## More by Michael Lewis > [“Crucial decisions are made, today as thousands of years ago, in terms of the intuitive guesses and preferences of a few men in positions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/crucial-decisions-are-made-today-as-thousands-of-years-ago-in-terms/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [“You saw someone who reminded you of you, and then you looked for the reasons why you liked him. 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I love the absurdity of it. I love the kind of intelligence that's required to be dumb in comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-mazin/i-love-comedy-i-love-the-absurdity-of-it-i-love-the-kind-of/) [Craig Mazin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-mazin/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/) [Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/) > [I'm a meathead. I can't help it, man. You've got smart people and you've got dumb people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keanu-reeves/i-m-a-meathead-i-can-t-help-it-man-you-ve-got-smart-people-and-you-ve/) [Keanu Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keanu-reeves/) > [I always wanted to make big action movies as a kid, and that was my dream. 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