Dear Professor A.G.,
1. Talent is ubiquitous, in most cases, it's not discovered
2. Talent is not enough--it has to be tempered with values and character
3. None should claim to be 'smart'---that would be egotism-
it's what that person can contribute to general welfare
4. Be careful of cleverness---it might be cunning (Tao Te-Ching of Lao Tze, 600 BCE)
5. I agree. Listen to the smartest in the room, but
among the listeners there might be one or some who are even smarter---we wouldn't know until the debate starts-
perhaps the speaker might turn out to be what he's not.
6. He who regards himself smart falls short of humility which is the hallmark of Confucius's Junzi (the Ideal Person, the Gentleman, the Exemplary Man).
7. Confucius again: I walk with two persons, making a company of three---I count one of the two my (potential )teacher.
8. Yes, every encounter is a chance to learn something new but we need to be humble and learn to listen well, without being prejudiced or judgemental.
9. We should always remind ourselves that what we know is but a drop in the ocean of wisdom
10. It's not what we know that makes our life worthy--
it's the essentiality of our moral character
THE GENTLE ART OF TAO LEADERSHIP Nov 2020 is relevant to our discussion.