Is there anything wrong with being more pleasant than clever?

Question

I value intellect and cleverness quite a bit and I know a lot of people here do as well. Not everyone is clever though and other than just having to exist as a person who isn't clever, what's really wrong with such a thing? I think there may be a benefit to being pleasant instead. I'm reminded of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Harvey.

If you haven't seen it, it's a classic staring Jimmy Stewart. It's about his sister's attempts to get him committed to a mental hospital because he's destroying the social life of her and her daughter because of his "imaginary" 12 foot rabbit named Harvey. In one great scene Stewart says,

"My mother used to say to me, 'Elwood' -- she always called me Elwood -- 'Elwood, in this world you must be oh-so clever, or oh-so pleasant.' For years I was clever. I'd recommend pleasant -- and you may quote me."


Is there anything really wrong with just being pleasant and not clever?

Answer 1

I agree with you. Pleasantness is a far greater virtue than cleverness, in fact i think it shows more wisdom then unpleasant intelligence. As i have said before,

"Education without morality just creates smarter crooks."



So while i value intelligence i realize that it can be dangerous or just plain mean without compassion. When people forget how to be pleasant and choose to be clever it just turns into intellectual bullying.



So yes you are right.



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Answer 2

I'd rather people be clever, because a clever person is more likely to realize that they can, even if it isn't their nature, be pleasant *intentionally*, because it makes life better for everyone.



Whereas, you get a lot of pleasant but not-so-clever people wandering around, you wind up with things like, just for a wild random example, television shows about Paris Hilton, which is only going to lead to large amounts of bloodshed and previously pleasant *and* clever people incarcerated for mass bludgeonings, and, really, is that what *anyone* wants?



Hicksian Philosophy refers to these as "fevered egos tainting our collective unconsciousness and making us pay a higher psychic price than we realize", and I can't say I disagree.

Answer 3

I vacillate from one to the other. I'm rarely both at once. Sometimes I'm neither.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with being one or the other. I also prefer pleasant to clever, although clever is worlds of fun.

Answer 4

I think in general people would get along better if people focused on being pleasant instead of clever. It wouldn't fix everything, but I believe it would have great social benefits.

Answer 5

I'm not saying I'm not clever (I was always in the 'gifted' programs at school and have to be very intelligent in order to do my job), but I usually tend to be *more* pleasant and keep my thoughts to myself. Not always on Y!A, but in real life I am the kindest, most polite and cheerful person you could ever hope to meet. I find it has got me a long way. People respect me and treat me very well.

Answer 6

No, people can't help not being clever, but everybody can be pleasant. I try to be both (sometimes I'm not pleasant on here though)

Answer 7

The clever usually trick the pleasant.

Answer 8

Clever will get you noticed, but pleasant will make you remembered.

Answer 9

It´s better be good, because I´m not intelligent, haha! Oh, Harvey is such a sweet film!

Answer 10

Nothing at all: it is a most excellent thing to be.

Far better than being clever and unpleasant.

Answer 11

Pleasant people make great parents.

Answer 12

Pleasant is good enough.No need to brag your cleverness.

Answer 13

As long as you know you're not clever. That is what irritates people, you know.

Answer 14

Not at all, but some people will have a problem with you no matter what way you are!

Answer 15

I think it's entirely possible to be both.

Answer 16

no not really, it's just when your neither that really bugs people

Answer 17

Why can't you be both?