QuoteProject
My success was not based so much on any great intelligence but on great common sense.
Helen Gurley Brown
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Success often comes from practical wisdom rather than high intelligence.

In this quote, Helen Gurley Brown emphasizes that her achievements were primarily due to her common sense, rather than extraordinary intellect. This highlights the importance of practical knowledge and the ability to make sound decisions in achieving success, suggesting that often, it's not just what you know, but how you apply that knowledge that determines your accomplishments.

Themes

SuccessCommon SenseIntelligenceWisdomAchievement

In practice

Example use cases

During a graduation speech to inspire students entering the workforce.

More from Helen Gurley Brown

Don't use men to get what you want in life. Get it yourself.
Helen Gurley BrownRead
If you do the best you can, no matter how bad the situation, you probably are going to come out okay.
Helen Gurley BrownRead
The happiest people I know are not those who are the most beautiful, rich or famous. The happiest people I see are simply those who stay cheerful and try to cheer up others while getting through their own bad stuff
Helen Gurley BrownRead
Work with the raw material you have, namely you, and never let up.
Helen Gurley BrownRead

Similar quotes

I've long believed that if you're not embarrassed by your first product release, you've released too late.
Reid HoffmanRead
When you want success as badly as you want the air, then you will get it. There is no other secret of success.
SocratesRead
Most work is not coming up with The Next Big Thing. Rather, it's improving the thing you already thought of six months - or six years - ago. It's the work of work.
Jason FriedRead
Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.
Pablo PicassoRead
You win a race, the next race it’s a question mark. Are you still the best or not? That’s what is funny. But that’s what is interesting. And that’s what is challenging. You have to prove yourself every time.
Michael SchumacherRead
Beside every great success are the seeds of enormous failure. In every failure, there's the opportunity seeds of great success. They're not miles apart. So if they're that close together, and if you're really working, you're always gonna have that likelihood that something's not going to work.
Peter GuberRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.