--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I remember they told me that I was so…" description: "\"I remember they told me that I was so stupid and that calling smart was an insult to integrity! Hey look at me now, got my P.h.d.\" — Victor Otieno" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg" --- # I remember they told me that I was so stupid and that… ![“I remember they told me that I was so stupid and that calling smart was an insult to integrity! Hey look at me now, got my P.h.d.” quote by Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg) > “I remember they told me that I was so stupid and that calling smart was an insult to integrity! Hey look at me now, got my P.h.d.” [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overcoming ridicule, achieving academic success demonstrates resilience against negativity. **In simple terms:** Turning insults into motivation leads to achievement. Key Takeaway Use criticism as fuel for growth. Themes resilience education self‑esteem Mood determined proud Type inspirational personal narrative When to use this quote - academic pursuits - career advancement - public speaking - mentoring Key Concepts psychology growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How did you transform negative remarks into drive? - What role does self‑belief play in overcoming doubt? A Different Perspective May ignore constructive feedback while focusing on criticism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“don't call me stupid without calling me stupid and think I'd bee too stupid to notice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-jerome-dickey/don-t-call-me-stupid-without-calling-me-stupid-and-think-i-d-bee-too/) [Eric Jerome Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-jerome-dickey/) > [Leroy bet me I couldn't find a pot of gold at the end, and I told him that was a stupid bet because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/leroy-bet-me-i-couldn-t-find-a-pot-of-gold-at-the-end-and-i-told-him/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [“Will this be in the examination, Mr Hecker?" was the limit of my students' interest in any given subject. If it was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tod-wodicka/will-this-be-in-the-examination-mr-hecker-was-the-limit-of-my/) [Tod Wodicka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tod-wodicka/) > [When I was growing up, I was told I was stupid and that I would never achieve. I suffered from dyslexia, and in those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-winkler/when-i-was-growing-up-i-was-told-i-was-stupid-and-that-i-would-never/) [Henry Winkler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-winkler/) > [“JOHN: I’ll tell you a story about myself. Do you mind? I was raised to think myself stupid. That’s what I want to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/john-i-ll-tell-you-a-story-about-myself-do-you-mind-i-was-raised-to/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [“Then, without really realizing it, I start to think of one thing I did wrong for each tree I look at. Wide oak- I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-lacour/then-without-really-realizing-it-i-start-to-think-of-one-thing-i-did-2/) [Nina LaCour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-lacour/) > [“Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was “too stupid to learn anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-patrick/thomas-edison-s-teachers-told-him-he-was-too-stupid-to-learn-anything/) [Sean Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-patrick/) > [“I asked Giovanni how he squared violence and happiness. 'I think you have to be a bit stupid to be happy,' he told me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-feiling/i-asked-giovanni-how-he-squared-violence-and-happiness-i-think-you/) Tom Feiling > [“I did that yesterday and I can’t do it again. It’s boring and my mother told me only stupid people get bored and I’m…not…stupid,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/i-did-that-yesterday-and-i-can-t-do-it-again-it-s-boring-and-my/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“It didn’t matter what my heart said, I reminded myself. My heart told me stupid stuff all the time. My heart should just shut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-chance/it-didn-t-matter-what-my-heart-said-i-reminded-myself-my-heart-told/) [Karen Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-chance/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [Loving the wrong person doesn't mean ypu're stupid. It was stupid of that person not to appreciate your LOVE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pretty-nimy/loving-the-wrong-person-doesn-t-mean-ypu-re-stupid-it-was-stupid-of/) Pretty\_Nimy > [“If people fully understand you, they will think of you as a normal, if they half understand you, will think of you as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/if-people-fully-understand-you-they-will-think-of-you-as-a-normal-if/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) ## More by Victor Otieno > [We are allergic to truth because we overfeed on lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/we-are-allergic-to-truth-because-we-overfeed-on-lies/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Nothing personal, strictly business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/nothing-personal-strictly-business/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Fat rhymes got my lips slimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/fat-rhymes-got-my-lips-slimming/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Until yesterday after checking calender twice, that's when I realized am almost thirty five!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/until-yesterday-after-checking-calender-twice-that-s-when-i-realized/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [My integrity is so expensive, count me out on free mason!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/my-integrity-is-so-expensive-count-me-out-on-free-mason/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Free is never a price!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/free-is-never-a-price/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Damn! Girl, you sure fuel's my soul but lol! My soul keep on running out of gas!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/damn-girl-you-sure-fuel-s-my-soul-but-lol-my-soul-keep-on-running-out/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Wisely use your sausage fingers, dont ever cling on dead hopes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/wisely-use-your-sausage-fingers-dont-ever-cling-on-dead-hopes/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [When they asked for my comment, I simply told them u'v grown tremendiously from stupid kids to stupid adults!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/when-they-asked-for-my-comment-i-simply-told-them-u-v-grown/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) > [Success come in handy when you follow the sequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/success-come-in-handy-when-you-follow-the-sequence/) [Victor Otieno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) [Explore all 11 Victor Otieno quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/) ## More Stupid quotes > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [“If people fully understand you, they will think of you as a normal, if they half understand you, will think of you as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/if-people-fully-understand-you-they-will-think-of-you-as-a-normal-if/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Loving the wrong person doesn't mean ypu're stupid. It was stupid of that person not to appreciate your LOVE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pretty-nimy/loving-the-wrong-person-doesn-t-mean-ypu-re-stupid-it-was-stupid-of/) Pretty\_Nimy > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [A lot of people say they are dyslexic; some have to realize that they are just stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/a-lot-of-people-say-they-are-dyslexic-some-have-to-realize-that-they/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [The truth is I've just never had any kind of plan at all for my career, which is probably not a very flattering thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-burrell/the-truth-is-i-ve-just-never-had-any-kind-of-plan-at-all-for-my/) [Ty Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-burrell/) > [I think the people I talk about are generally so stupid that they don't even know I'm saying bad things about them. I've run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-think-the-people-i-talk-about-are-generally-so-stupid-that-they-don/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [I want to thank each and every one of you for having extinguished yourselves this session.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gib-lewis/i-want-to-thank-each-and-every-one-of-you-for-having-extinguished/) [Gib Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gib-lewis/) > [When I hut my mouth and turn walk away, it doesn't mean you've won. It simply means your stupid ass isn't worth any more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luphielia/when-i-hut-my-mouth-and-turn-walk-away-it-doesn-t-mean-you-ve-won-it/) Luphielia > [No matter how serious life gets, You still gotta have that one person you can be completely stupid with..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/no-matter-how-serious-life-gets-you-still-gotta-have-that-one-person/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [In the beginning I was just a makeup artist and I never really pictured myself doing anything else. But now that I have so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffree-star/in-the-beginning-i-was-just-a-makeup-artist-and-i-never-really/) [Jeffree Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffree-star/) > [The free market is ugly and stupid, like going to the mall; the unfree market is just as ugly and just as stupid, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-free-market-is-ugly-and-stupid-like-going-to-the-mall-the-unfree/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only victories which leave no regret are those which are gained over ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-only-victories-which-leave-no-regret-are-those-which-are-gained/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) Browse all 6,392 Stupid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I remember they told me that I was so stupid and that calling smart was an insult to integrity! Hey look at me now, got my P.h.d.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Victor Otieno" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-stupid-and-that-calling-smart/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Stupid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-stupid-and-that-calling-smart/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/victor-otieno-40262_quote_i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-st_1840590.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I remember they told me that I was so stupid and that calling smart was an insult to integrity! Hey look at…” — Victor Otieno", "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": "Victor Otieno", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-otieno/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I remember they told me that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-stupid-and-that-calling-smart/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-otieno/i-remember-they-told-me-that-i-was-so-stupid-and-that-calling-smart/#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 } } ] } ```