John Stuart Mill said it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.
I agree with this, but it strikes me that perhaps because they are more self-aware and thoughtful, intelligent people are often very self-critical and unhappy. This is why I suggest it is something of a curse to be intelligent. I've noticed that a lot of very clever people are wrought with self loathing and have low self esteem. By contrast people who are less intelligent perhaps are more confident because they don't spend much time thinking and analyzing their behaviour.
I agree with this, but it strikes me that perhaps because they are more self-aware and thoughtful, intelligent people are often very self-critical and unhappy. This is why I suggest it is something of a curse to be intelligent. I've noticed that a lot of very clever people are wrought with self loathing and have low self esteem. By contrast people who are less intelligent perhaps are more confident because they don't spend much time thinking and analyzing their behaviour.