Arthur Schopenhauer Quotes

Intellect needs to be understood not as some kind of claim against the other human excellences for which a fatally high price has to be paid, but rather as a complement to them without which they cannot be fully consummated.

Intelligence, that sublimation of the sensibility, that organ of the need to know, is sterilized sensibility.

Whatever the difference between brilliant and average brains, we are all creative. And through practice and study we can enhance our skills and talents.

[Warren] Harding is incapable of thought, because he has nothing to think with.

The savage and women are not what we call intellectual because they are not taught to know and manipulate the materials of knowledge.

Intelligence is a separate gift, for the benefit of students, so that they may think of themselves as intellectual and not very intelligent, or intelligent and not very intellectual. One hopes, of course, that they try to bring the two virtues, the two elements, into their lives at the same time.

Intellect is a fire; rash and pitiless it melts this wonderful bone-house which is called man. Genius even, as it is the greatestgood, is the greatest harm.

In order to acquire intellect one must need it. One loses it when it is no longer necessary.

The best way of increasing the [average] intelligence of scientists would be to reduce their number.

In the make-up of human beings, intelligence counts for more than our hands, and that is our true strength.

Intellect takes you to the door, but it doesn't take you into the house.

If you're a lame brain, then you're a lame brain. I can't help that.

The intellect of the generality of women serves more to fortify their folly than their reason.

Defects and weakness in men's understandings, as well as other faculties, come from want of a right use of their own minds; I am apt to think, the fault is generally mislaid upon nature, and there is often a complaint of want of parts, when the fault lies in want of a due improvement of them.

For intellect is a mansion where waste is without drain.

Intelligence is something we are born with. Thinking is a skill that must be learned.

Am I an intellectual? I don't think so. Less than people sometimes think, I have to say. But more than some others think.

The term "intellectual" is used conventionally to refer to people who happen to have unusual opportunities in this regard, and as always, opportunity confers moral responsibility.

You certainly can't tell anything from the microscopic structure of the brain whether the person was an idiot or a genius.

My favorite part of my body is my brain. I think no matter what my body looks like I wont be satisfied unless I know how to use it.

We are not distinguished from brutes by our senses, but by our understanding.

I'm equal part genius, equal part buffoon.

The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind

What are wits for unless a man uses them?