As a note, this series will not be in place of posts; it will be in the middle of the day (iyH) when I can't post because I'll be too busy. Just some good food for thought with your lunch. :)
A. My Bubby used to say that all the time. In a Yiddish sort of way. I forget exactly how. B. People get really angry at me when I say that I hope my daughter turns out dumb. She'll be happier that way. I don't care. I really do hope she does. But it's looking like we're not going that route.
I'm not sure the quote is true. Some of the happiest people I know are very intelligent. Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence.
I say consider the source of that quote! A lot of writers think that an essential part of being a "good" writer is to have a lot of angst and depression and "dark" feelings on which to draw. :-P Also, Hemingway saw some pretty awful stuff as a Red Cross medic during WWI.
kxtms--I don't think that is a wise thing to hope for. Unintelligent people make decisions that tend to make their life worse, not better.
I like this quote very much. It's sad, but I think there's at least some truth to it. But I also think there is value to wisdom even--perhaps especially--when it is painful.
I collect quotes for a living...I mean, a hobby. I've been working on a book for years. If you run out, I've got literally hundreds.
...it depends on how you define happiness. In the sense of placid contentment, the quote is undoubtedly true. But I believe that the truest happiness comes from utilizing intelligence, exercising our God-given ability to think.
fern - "Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence." Ummmm...no comment.
"I say consider the source of that quote! A lot of writers think that an essential part of being a "good" writer is to have a lot of angst and depression and "dark" feelings on which to draw." Yes, Hemingway lived through the Great Depression and two world wars...not to mention four failed marriages. He saw his share of happiness.
Apple - I've got enough quotes just from last night...j/k...I didn't read anything!
Scraps - I'll let you know if I run out.
SJ - Yes, you are correct. As you undoubtedly remember, happiness is an emotion and impossible to define.
"Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence."
-----------
"Ummmm...no comment."
LOL. Seriously though. There are lots of happy people who are very smart. Do you listen to talk radio? What about Dennis Prager? He's intelligent and happy...he wrote a whole book on happiness and discusses ways to be more happy every Friday.
"Some of the happiest people I know are very intelligent. Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence."
This has got to be one of the most false statements imaginable. Why do people assume because someone got the title of "Rebbi" he's intelligent? Sure, there are many rebbeim out there who are very smart, but definitely not all.
And what do you mean, they seem happy? Just 'cus people say Baruch Hashem a lot, and shuckle, and preach does not mean they are happy on the inside.
"I don't think that is a wise thing to hope for. Unintelligent people make decisions that tend to make their life worse, not better."
No offense, Fern, but that's one of the most "unintelligent" things I've heard here. People who are not that intelligent--or more importantly--people who are not deep thinkers tend to not notice how crappy their lives or those of others are. And intelligent, deep thinkers have been known to think too much and think themselves right into the absolute worst decisions. You can screw up by thinking too much. And then, you really, really feel the screw-up because you're a freaking thinker. Okay. Whatever. I really do think that ignorance is bliss and I know plenty of those types. They tend to be really sweet, well-meaning people who have strong Emunah. I wish that for my daughter and I'm not ashamed. She would--if she wasn't so damn smart--live a happier life.
that smells like jealousy of the intelligent!!! I like to think of myself as quite intelligent AND I am one of the happiest people I have come across. :-) seriously, kidding aside, that statement may apply to some but it is in no way a rule!! I know many (very) intelligent people who are also very happy!!! (I'm one of em ;-)) I also know many unintelligent ppl hu are unhappy!! p.s. if ud meet me ud scrap the quote!!!!
hmm i've heard that comment before. I can't remember where though :)
ReplyDeleteand ps - i pick happiness over intelligence anyday.
Yes, yes, yes...but shouldn't the switch be turned on at least sometimes????
ReplyDeleteMoshe - LOVE the quote. Shall we analyze? Or does that defeat the purpose? :)
ReplyDeleteiPay - So we've seen... :D
look who's talking!
ReplyDeleteAs a note, this series will not be in place of posts; it will be in the middle of the day (iyH) when I can't post because I'll be too busy. Just some good food for thought with your lunch. :)
ReplyDeleteyeh, it's miserable being so smart :P
ReplyDeleteA. My Bubby used to say that all the time. In a Yiddish sort of way. I forget exactly how.
ReplyDeleteB. People get really angry at me when I say that I hope my daughter turns out dumb. She'll be happier that way. I don't care. I really do hope she does. But it's looking like we're not going that route.
um. that last comment was mine.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure the quote is true. Some of the happiest people I know are very intelligent. Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence.
ReplyDeleteI say consider the source of that quote! A lot of writers think that an essential part of being a "good" writer is to have a lot of angst and depression and "dark" feelings on which to draw. :-P Also, Hemingway saw some pretty awful stuff as a Red Cross medic during WWI.
kxtms--I don't think that is a wise thing to hope for. Unintelligent people make decisions that tend to make their life worse, not better.
Moshe - if you need any other good, thought-provoking quotes, just ask Ezzie to scroll through his chat archives.
ReplyDeleteRIGHT EZZIE???
I like this quote very much. It's sad, but I think there's at least some truth to it. But I also think there is value to wisdom even--perhaps especially--when it is painful.
ReplyDeleteI collect quotes for a living...I mean, a hobby. I've been working on a book for years. If you run out, I've got literally hundreds.
...it depends on how you define happiness. In the sense of placid contentment, the quote is undoubtedly true. But I believe that the truest happiness comes from utilizing intelligence, exercising our God-given ability to think.
ReplyDeletefern -
ReplyDelete"Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence."
Ummmm...no comment.
"I say consider the source of that quote! A lot of writers think that an essential part of being a "good" writer is to have a lot of angst and depression and "dark" feelings on which to draw."
Yes, Hemingway lived through the Great Depression and two world wars...not to mention four failed marriages. He saw his share of happiness.
Apple - I've got enough quotes just from last night...j/k...I didn't read anything!
Scraps - I'll let you know if I run out.
SJ - Yes, you are correct. As you undoubtedly remember, happiness is an emotion and impossible to define.
"Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence."
ReplyDelete-----------
"Ummmm...no comment."
LOL. Seriously though. There are lots of happy people who are very smart. Do you listen to talk radio? What about Dennis Prager? He's intelligent and happy...he wrote a whole book on happiness and discusses ways to be more happy every Friday.
"Some of the happiest people I know are very intelligent. Think of all the various Rebbeim. They all seem happy to me. And no one would deny their intelligence."
ReplyDeleteThis has got to be one of the most false statements imaginable. Why do people assume because someone got the title of "Rebbi" he's intelligent? Sure, there are many rebbeim out there who are very smart, but definitely not all.
And what do you mean, they seem happy? Just 'cus people say Baruch Hashem a lot, and shuckle, and preach does not mean they are happy on the inside.
Moshe - no, you just HEARD everything.
ReplyDelete"I don't think that is a wise thing to hope for. Unintelligent people make decisions that tend to make their life worse, not better."
ReplyDeleteNo offense, Fern, but that's one of the most "unintelligent" things I've heard here. People who are not that intelligent--or more importantly--people who are not deep thinkers tend to not notice how crappy their lives or those of others are. And intelligent, deep thinkers have been known to think too much and think themselves right into the absolute worst decisions. You can screw up by thinking too much. And then, you really, really feel the screw-up because you're a freaking thinker. Okay. Whatever. I really do think that ignorance is bliss and I know plenty of those types. They tend to be really sweet, well-meaning people who have strong Emunah. I wish that for my daughter and I'm not ashamed. She would--if she wasn't so damn smart--live a happier life.
that smells like jealousy of the intelligent!!! I like to think of myself as quite intelligent AND I am one of the happiest people I have come across. :-)
ReplyDeleteseriously, kidding aside, that statement may apply to some but it is in no way a rule!! I know many (very) intelligent people who are also very happy!!! (I'm one of em ;-))
I also know many unintelligent ppl hu are unhappy!!
p.s. if ud meet me ud scrap the quote!!!!
exceedingly -- I'm curious.
ReplyDelete