Ambivalent Quote by Vernon A. Walters
“Americans have always had an ambivalent attitude toward intelligence. When they feel threatened, they want a lot of it, and when they don't, they regard the whole thing as somewhat immoral.”
About This Quote
People value intelligence when they feel insecure, but dismiss it as unethical when it isn’t needed for self‑preservation.
In simple terms: Intelligence is prized only under threat.
Key Takeaway
Intelligence is a conditional virtue.
Themes
psychology
culture
power dynamics
self‑interest
morality
Mood
skeptical
ironic
Type
observation
social commentary
When to use this quote
- political crises
- career competition
- academic debates
- media criticism
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
social perception
status anxiety
Practical Applications
- leadership training
- public policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- When do we truly need expertise?
- How does fear shape our view of knowledge?
![“When you 'make good,' you find out who your real friends are. You find out pretty quick. And it's a very ambivalent feeling, because you're, like, happy you found out that people are [jerkfaces], but you're kinda sad because you think, 'Wow, I wasted so much time being this person's friend.'” quote by Greg Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7ab/greg-camp-64349_ambivalent_when-you-make-good-you-find-out-who-your_126934.jpg)
