Intelligence without character is meaningless

while giving them an opportunity to explore opportunities at their disposal.
Everyday a lot of people stand in awe, amazed by the degree of intelligence some individuals possess. More often than not, there are certain individuals who perform amazing tasks based on their high intellect rather than their strategic positioning in society.

Historically, intelligent individuals have always occupied high positions in society.
From the time of the Greek philosophers, Roman philosophers through to the time of Galileo, Newton, Einstein as well as most recently Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, they have all been key individuals in the society, whose contribution is invaluable.

They have all inspired humanity and led it in different ways and their existence and contribution have left a huge footmark on the world’s landscape, be it in the fields of science, social science, philosophy, technology or astrology.

These greats contributed in an invaluable way to the existence of mankind throughout. So in all honesty, it is therefore not a lie to say that intelligence is that key ingredient in the development of any society.

However, it is also paramount to note that intelligence without character is nothing. Intelligence may not mean much if the person endowed with that wittiness is a weak character.

William Edward Hartpole Lecky, an Irish historian and political theorist, alluded to this: “One of the most important lessons that experience teaches is that, on the whole, success depends more on character than upon either intellect or fortune.”

It is true therefore to say that all men that have been revered throughout history as the greatest thinkers, strategists or most intelligent of their time were not only as a result of their intelligence but rather the substance of their characters.

Intelligence is a gift endowed on one by his/her creator and might set you apart from your peers in terms of natural thinking and reasoning but in itself it is not the assurance of a successful life.
Drawing examples from home, Dambudzo Marechera was one of the greatest authors of his time, if not the mostly intellectually gifted of them all. But character-wise he had flaws which hindered or limited his horizon.

I do not need to take anything away from this talented author but if only he had a different set of principles from the ones he had we might still be living in his era.

“Intelligence without character is a dangerous thing” is one famous phrase coined by Gloria Steinem that people should often refer to, when they find themselves at odds with their behaviour.

When Cool Lifestyle caught up with a group of students from the University of Zimbabwe, they said intelligence without character was like a loaded musket in the hands of a madman.

One of them, Patrick Chengu, further added: “Intelligence without character is very similar to beauty without brains and this entails disaster not only for the possessor but also to those around.”

There are many who have fallen victim to the intelligence of self-centred, unscrupulous individuals who have used their natural abilities to deceive, outsmart and manipulate others.

It is a normal sight on the streets of big cities to meet someone crying or in desperation after being conned of money by some unscrupulous individuals, who use their intelligence for the wrong reasons.

Intelligence is like raw energy which if not harnessed or stabilised by the effect of strong moral character can be as disastrous like the raw energy of a tsunami or hurricane.

If one wishes to walk in the footsteps of all the great men and women in history he/she needs to have a strong character and not only intelligence, contrary to popular belief.

Character and intelligence are two very important things needed in education. It takes both of these attributes to produce a wholesome individual.

Without good character, a person will never be able to put forth everything that they have into what they do.

This also works the same way for education. If one does not have the courage to try to learn, then any attempts at teaching this person will be in vain.

If we were all offered a pay cheque to go to school and make good grades, I guarantee that no person would fail at school. Martin Luther King Jnr also said: “Intelligence is not enough, intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”