7. Satyanarayana Shanmugam

You might end up having a poor social life. It is difficult to find people with a similar level of intelligence depending on how smart you are. People with a lower level of intelligence will subconsciously avoid you because your very presence can make them feel less intelligent, and nobody likes that. If you’re lucky enough to be in a place where you’re surrounded by people with similar levels of intelligence, you should consider yourself to be extremely fortunate.

8. Erica Friedman

“The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.” – Horace Walpole

It’s true that being intelligent can make you feel alone – especially as a child, when you are limited by social obligations you do not choose for yourself and financial dependence on others.

But, then you grow up and you achieve financial and political independence. If you do not use that freedom to surround yourself with wonderful people, you’re wasting your time on this planet.

I am reasonably intelligent. I worked in advertising and sales, which teaches you everything you ever need to know about how horrible and wonderful people can be. I have friends who slay me with their humor. My friends are sharp as knives, and they keep me honed.

If you are truly intelligent, you can spend your days sneering at people around you and be a big fish in the minuscule pond of your mind or you can use that intelligence to do something awesome. It’s your choice.