--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew that these people were not idiots…" description: "\"“I knew that these people were not idiots, so the only thing I could attribute their insane response to was a profound lack of courage and intellectual..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png" --- # I knew that these people were not idiots, so the only… ![“I knew that these people were not idiots, so the only thing I could attribute their insane response to was a profound lack of courage and intellectual integrity.” quote by Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png) > ““I knew that these people were not idiots, so the only thing I could attribute their insane response to was a profound lack of courage and intellectual integrity.”” [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People may act irrationally when they lack courage and integrity, leading to poor decisions and blame. **In simple terms:** Lack of courage and integrity causes bad actions. Key Takeaway Cultivate courage and honesty. Themes leadership integrity accountability Mood reflective critical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - performance reviews - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology group dynamics ethical behavior Questions to Reflect On - How can you model courage in your team? - What structures support integrity? A Different Perspective Assumes all failures stem from personal flaws, ignoring systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ## Related quotes > [And one more idea which may be laughed and sneered at in some supposedly sophisticated circles, but I just have to believe that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/and-one-more-idea-which-may-be-laughed-and-sneered-at-in-some/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Someone once told me the one thread that runs through them all is a premium on personal courage - not intellectual courage, but just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lord/someone-once-told-me-the-one-thread-that-runs-through-them-all-is-a/) [Walter Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lord/) > [It seems to me a fundamental dishonesty, and a fundamental treachery to intellectual integrity to hold a belief because you think it's useful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/it-seems-to-me-a-fundamental-dishonesty-and-a-fundamental-treachery/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I mean by intellectual integrity the habit of deciding vexed questions in accordance with the evidence, or of leaving them undecided where the evidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-mean-by-intellectual-integrity-the-habit-of-deciding-vexed/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Reading enables me to maintain a sense of something substantive– my ethical integrity, my intellectual integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/reading-enables-me-to-maintain-a-sense-of-something-substantive-my/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [Eternal vigilance, as they say, is the price of freedom. Add intellectual integrity to the cost basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/eternal-vigilance-as-they-say-is-the-price-of-freedom-add/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [When considering the truth of a proposition, one is either engaged in an honest appraisal of the evidence and logical arguments, or one isn't.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/when-considering-the-truth-of-a-proposition-one-is-either-engaged-in/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [Within the confines of the lecture hall, no other virtue exists but plain intellectual integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-weber/within-the-confines-of-the-lecture-hall-no-other-virtue-exists-but/) [Max Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-weber/) > [There are two principles on which all men of intellectual integrity and good will can agree, as a 'basic minimum,' as a precondition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/there-are-two-principles-on-which-all-men-of-intellectual-integrity/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“Thus she is almost always a failure as a lawyer, for the law requires only an armament of hollow phrases and stereotyped formulae, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/thus-she-is-almost-always-a-failure-as-a-lawyer-for-the-law-requires/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) > [The mind serves best when it's anchored in the Word of God. There is no danger then of becoming an intellectual without integrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/the-mind-serves-best-when-it-s-anchored-in-the-word-of-god-there-is/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/my-darling-girl-when-are-you-going-to-realize-that-being-normal-is/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [I do not lack the courage to think a thought whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/i-do-not-lack-the-courage-to-think-a-thought-whole/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [Most of us have more potential than we will ever develop. What holds us back is often a lack of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/most-of-us-have-more-potential-than-we-will-ever-develop-what-holds/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [“The Oren-yaro do not lack for courage, it is true. We know how to face battles when the odds are stacked against us. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-s-villoso/the-oren-yaro-do-not-lack-for-courage-it-is-true-we-know-how-to-face/) [K.S. Villoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-s-villoso/) ## More by Patrick Lencioni > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Trust is the foundation of real teamwork (there is nothing touchy-feely about this).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/trust-is-the-foundation-of-real-teamwork-there-is-nothing-touchy/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“There is something so powerful about a person who in one moment can be confident enough to confront a client about a sensitive personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/there-is-something-so-powerful-about-a-person-who-in-one-moment-can/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“The idea is that your clients are looking for good suggestions, and they don’t mind sifting through some not-so-good ones as long as they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-idea-is-that-your-clients-are-looking-for-good-suggestions-and/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Are your people uncomfortable during meetings and tired at the end? If not, they're probably not mixing it up enough and getting to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/are-your-people-uncomfortable-during-meetings-and-tired-at-the-end-if/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [An organization has integrity—is healthy—when it is whole, consistent, and complete, that is, when its management, operations, strategy, and culture fit together and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/an-organization-has-integrity-is-healthy-when-it-is-whole-consistent/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I've become absolutely convinced that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre or unsuccessful ones has little, if anything, to do with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-ve-become-absolutely-convinced-that-the-seminal-difference-between/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Home is most important in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/home-is-most-important-in-the-long-run/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [If you don't know what your family stands for and what your life situation is, you're in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/if-you-don-t-know-what-your-family-stands-for-and-what-your-life/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“First, we go figure out how to recognize a real team player, the kind of person who can easily build trust, engage in healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/first-we-go-figure-out-how-to-recognize-a-real-team-player-the-kind/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [People will walk through fire for a leader that's true and human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/people-will-walk-through-fire-for-a-leader-that-s-true-and-human/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-majority-of-meetings-should-be-discussions-that-lead-to-decisions/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [At its core, all authentic growth depends on more customers wanting more of what your company offers. Any other drivers - pricing gimmicks, heroic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/at-its-core-all-authentic-growth-depends-on-more-customers-wanting/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/admit-your-weaknesses-and-limitations/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I have yet to meet members of a leadership team who I thought lacked the intelligence or the domain expertise required to be successful.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-have-yet-to-meet-members-of-a-leadership-team-who-i-thought-lacked/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) [Explore all 194 Patrick Lencioni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) James T. Conway > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/) Kristen Armstrong > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) [Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I knew that these people were not idiots, so the only thing I could attribute their insane response to was a profound lack of courage and intellectual integrity.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Lencioni" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots-so-the-only-thing-i-could/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Courage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots-so-the-only-thing-i-could/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/patrick-lencioni-1969_courage_i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots_2076108.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I knew that these people were not idiots, so the only thing I could attribute their insane response to was a…” — Patrick Lencioni", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Patrick Lencioni", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I knew that these people were...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots-so-the-only-thing-i-could/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-knew-that-these-people-were-not-idiots-so-the-only-thing-i-could/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```