Who said “Clever men are good, but they are not the best.”?

Verified

Thomas Carlyle. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceCritical and Miscellaneous Essays (1827–1855)

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APA

Carlyle, T. (n.d.). Clever men are good, but they are not the best. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10160-clever-men-are-good-but-they-are-not/

MLA

Carlyle, Thomas. “Clever men are good, but they are not the best.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10160-clever-men-are-good-but-they-are-not/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Carlyle, Thomas. “Clever men are good, but they are not the best.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10160-clever-men-are-good-but-they-are-not/.

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