“Intelligence without principle is luck, not skill”
— Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Simplified Meaning:
Having intelligence alone isn’t enough to achieve true success; you also need strong morals and values. Imagine a person who is very smart but uses their cleverness to cheat or deceive others. Even if they get what they want in the short term, they didn't really earn it through their abilities—they just got lucky because they weren't caught. However, a person who is both intelligent and honest, who follows good principles, will find success that is based on their own skills and hard work. For example, a student who studies hard and follows school rules learns a lot and gains real knowledge, while another who cheats may get good grades but hasn't earned them fairly. In the long run, the honest student is prepared for a successful future, while the cheater's luck might run out. This teaches us that being smart is important, but combining it with integrity is what truly brings reliable and lasting success.
