--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was an accident that has endowed man…" description: "\"“It was an accident that has endowed man with intelligence. He has made use of it: he invented stupidity.”\" — Remy de Gourmont" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/remy-de-gourmont-7554_humanity_it-was-an-accident-that-has-endowed-man_892452.jpg" --- # It was an accident that has endowed man with intelligence… ![“It was an accident that has endowed man with intelligence. He has made use of it: he invented stupidity.” quote by Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/remy-de-gourmont-7554_humanity_it-was-an-accident-that-has-endowed-man_892452.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/remy-de-gourmont-7554_humanity_it-was-an-accident-that-has-endowed-man_892452.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/remy-de-gourmont-7554_humanity_it-was-an-accident-that-has-endowed-man_892452.jpg) > ““It was an accident that has endowed man with intelligence. He has made use of it: he invented stupidity.”” [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intelligence arose by chance, but humans misuse it by creating foolishness. **In simple terms:** Accidents gave us brains; we chose stupidity. Key Takeaway Beware how we apply intellect. Themes human nature intelligence folly Mood cautious critical Type philosophical satirical When to use this quote - education reform - policy making - media literacy Key Concepts cognitive bias misuse of reason Questions to Reflect On - How can we channel intellect toward wisdom? - What safeguards stop stupidity from spreading? A Different Perspective Intelligence alone doesn't prevent irrational behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accident/) [Accident Endowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accident-endowed-1161644/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Invented Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invented-stupidity-1161643/) [Man Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-intelligence-381185/) [Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity/) ## Related quotes > [Man has made use of his intelligence; he invented stupidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remy-de-gourmont/man-has-made-use-of-his-intelligence-he-invented-stupidity/) [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) > [The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-hands-are-the-instruments-of-man-s-intelligence/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Nothing demonstrates this more than man's intelligence: it has a capacity far beyond what would have been necessary in animal terms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aharon-feldman/nothing-demonstrates-this-more-than-man-s-intelligence-it-has-a/) [Aharon Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aharon-feldman/) > [A man may have intelligence enough to excel in a particular thing and lecture on it, and yet not have sense enough to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/a-man-may-have-intelligence-enough-to-excel-in-a-particular-thing-and/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [No man of any intelligence would pretend to know a female mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/no-man-of-any-intelligence-would-pretend-to-know-a-female-mind/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [A man's intelligence does not increase as he acquires power. 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