“ Intelligence is little more than a short foot-rule by which we measure the infinite achievements of Circumstances. ”
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned (1922). copy citation
Author | F. Scott Fitzgerald |
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Source | The Beautiful and Damned |
Topic | intelligence achievement |
Date | 1922 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | |
Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/9830/9830-h/9830-h.htm |
Context
“Intelligence is a mere instrument of circumstances. There are people who say that intelligence must have built the universe—why, intelligence never built a steam engine! Circumstances built a steam engine. Intelligence is little more than a short foot-rule by which we measure the infinite achievements of Circumstances.
"I could quote you the philosophy of the hour—but, for all we know, fifty years may see a complete reversal of this abnegation that's absorbing the intellectuals to-day, the triumph of Christ over Anatole France—"”
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