Clever man Quote by Rudyard Kipling
““Then says Mrs. Hauksbee to me – she looked a trifle faded and jaded in the lamplight: “Take my word for it, the silliest woman can manage a clever man; but it needs a very clever woman to manage a fool.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Man Who Would Be King” (1906)
A clever woman can outwit a fool, but only if she is truly clever.
In simple terms: Smart women manage fools.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate wisdom to handle the unwise.
Themes
gender
wit
power dynamics
Mood
wry
insightful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- relationships
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
feminism
intelligence
strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “clever” mean in this context?
- Can men also be managed by clever women?
A Different Perspective
Assumes women must be clever to manage men, reinforcing stereotypes.
