Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Intelligence Comes From Learning

“He’s smart, but he just doesn’t know anything.”

If there ever was a contradictory statement, that is one.

We heard the comment recently as a horse breeder was promoting one of his production for sale to a prospective customer.

It struck us funny, but there is legitimacy to the remark when given deeper consideration.

Level of intelligence varies markedly whether horse or human. Often, one is referred to being smarter than another based on marks received in testing or in response to projects accomplished.

On the opposite side, there is reference to those who aren’t as smart. When one wants to be intentionally hurtful, the other might be called dumb or stupid.

There are not too many animals or humans who really fit those words by true definition. Yes, certain individuals have more ability in certain areas, but nearly every animal and person has some level of merit.

What’s probably meant when referring to animals being “smart,” is that they don’t  hurt themselves and are easy to handle. Yet, they have not been educated on what their life is really meant to be.

Sometimes those “smart” animals don’t materialize the way we assume they will, while others do as we predict.

However, for us old cowboys, there are “smart” horses that are just too smart for their own good. Certainly too smart for our own good. They’ll go too fast, turn too sharp or cut a cow quicker than we can hang on.

Humans are different, but those folks referred to as “smart” often end up much like horses. They’re too smart for their own britches, seeming short on common sense.

Well, we have never been smart. And, everyday the more we realize that we certainly don’t know anything.

Reminds us of Isaiah 29:13: “The smart people who thought they knew everything will turn out to know nothing.”  However, we can’t forget First Corinthians 3:18: “What the world calls smart, God calls stupid. He sees through the know-it-alls.”

Likewise, it’s essential to recognize Ecclesiastes 9:11: “Not riches to the smart. Not grace to the learned. Sooner or later, bad luck hits us all.” Moreover, Ecclesiastes 2:12: “Even so, though the smart ones see where they’re going and the stupid ones grope in the dark, they’re all the same in the end. One fate for all.”

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