There are two kinds of Europeans: The smart ones, and those who stayed behind.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that those who actively seek new experiences and challenges are smarter than those who do not.
H. L. Mencken's quote implies a distinction between two types of Europeans: those who embrace change and take risks by venturing into the unknown, demonstrating intelligence and curiosity, and those who remain complacent in their familiar surroundings. This serves as a broader commentary on the value of exploration and adaptability in our lives, highlighting the importance of being proactive in seeking growth opportunities.
In practice
This quote would be perfect for a motivational speech on travel and exploration.
I know a good many men of great learning-that is, men born with an extraordinary eagerness and capacity to acquire knowledge. One and all, they tell me that they can't recall learning anything of any value in school. All that schoolmasters managed to accomplish with them was to test and determine the amount of knowledge that they had already acquired independently-and not infrequently the determination was made clumsily and inaccurately.
It takes a long while for a naturally trustful person to reconcile himself to the idea that after all God will not help him
It is the theory of all modern civilized governments that they protect and foster the liberty of the citizen; it is the practice of all of them to limit its exercise, and sometimes very narrowly.
The central belief of every moron is that he is the victim of a mysterious conspiracy against his common rights and true deserts.
The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy.
It is my conviction that no normal man ever fell in love, within the ordinary meaning of the term, after the age of thirty.
If a man does not know to what port he is steering, no wind is favorable to him. Ignoranti quem portum petat, nullus suus ventus est.
The librarian spoke in a reverential whisper. Corliss knew she'd misjudged this passionate woman. Maybe she dressed poorly, but she was probably great in bed, certainly believed in God and goodness, and kept an illicit collection of overdue library books on her shelves.
It is not when truth is dirty, but when it is shallow, that the lover of knowledge is reluctant to step into its waters.
The melancholy joys of evils pass'd, For he who much has suffer'd, much will know.
Effort within the mind further limits the mind, because effort implies struggle towards a goal and when you have a goal, a purpose, an end in view, you have placed a limit on the mind.
We need to learn to let go as easily as we grasp and we will find our hands full and our minds empty.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.