Tranquil Intelligence
Not being one of them and yet being utterly biased and prejudiced in their favor, I would now like to attempt an essay praising the virtues of the tranquilly intelligent.
These rare creatures, as I believe, walk among us, gracing our lives with their very presence. They understand, they comprehend, they accept. These gifted individuals do not boast of their considerable abilities, nor do they feel the insatiable urge for deification that others may experience.
Beautiful in mind and thought, silently intoning the om of intellectual heights, they do not require the admiration I seek to asperse upon them.
On a more mundane and less abstract level, the tranquilly intelligent do not immediately grasp for the opportunity of revealing their talents. In an educational setting and others, they do not shout to make their views known. Secure in themselves, arrogance, that characteristic of the weak, has no place with them.
In this competitive world, one is expected to strive for excellence, which is certainly a worthy endeavor. However, once having reached their objective, people are then obligated to cry their achievement to all.
Why this need? This craving for commendation and approval? My mere words may not explain human phenomena.
What good, you may ask, then, have these tranquilly intelligent wrought?
They listen. They are conscientious in studying, not merely in academics but of their fellow people, and assiduous in labor. They are the supporting actors without whom the play would be lost, the chairs on which the mighty sit when tired, the comfortable garments which are not worn in public. They are the confidants of the boisterous great. They are kind, and they are patient.
There exist the "smart" and the "bright." Brilliant work emerges easily from them. Cleverness and a quick wit polish their conversation.
What does it all signify? Surely a certain respect for their talents. But, what of the individual himself? What does he merit?
On this jarring note, what then of the "intelligent?" Such a character cannot be immediately born of a startled Zeus like a full-armed Athena, but rather of experience and a genuine love of knowledge as it benefits others, not only themselves.
Many teachers-yes, even they-have acquired the maturity to be tranquilly intelligent.
This is an expression of awe, and sadness that so seldom are the tranquilly intelligent appreciated.
These rare creatures, as I believe, walk among us, gracing our lives with their very presence. They understand, they comprehend, they accept. These gifted individuals do not boast of their considerable abilities, nor do they feel the insatiable urge for deification that others may experience.
Beautiful in mind and thought, silently intoning the om of intellectual heights, they do not require the admiration I seek to asperse upon them.
On a more mundane and less abstract level, the tranquilly intelligent do not immediately grasp for the opportunity of revealing their talents. In an educational setting and others, they do not shout to make their views known. Secure in themselves, arrogance, that characteristic of the weak, has no place with them.
In this competitive world, one is expected to strive for excellence, which is certainly a worthy endeavor. However, once having reached their objective, people are then obligated to cry their achievement to all.
Why this need? This craving for commendation and approval? My mere words may not explain human phenomena.
What good, you may ask, then, have these tranquilly intelligent wrought?
They listen. They are conscientious in studying, not merely in academics but of their fellow people, and assiduous in labor. They are the supporting actors without whom the play would be lost, the chairs on which the mighty sit when tired, the comfortable garments which are not worn in public. They are the confidants of the boisterous great. They are kind, and they are patient.
There exist the "smart" and the "bright." Brilliant work emerges easily from them. Cleverness and a quick wit polish their conversation.
What does it all signify? Surely a certain respect for their talents. But, what of the individual himself? What does he merit?
On this jarring note, what then of the "intelligent?" Such a character cannot be immediately born of a startled Zeus like a full-armed Athena, but rather of experience and a genuine love of knowledge as it benefits others, not only themselves.
Many teachers-yes, even they-have acquired the maturity to be tranquilly intelligent.
This is an expression of awe, and sadness that so seldom are the tranquilly intelligent appreciated.
