Is it better to be attractive with average intelligence, or intelligent with ave

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  1. SoundNFury profile image77
    SoundNFuryposted 12 years ago

    Is it better to be attractive with average intelligence, or intelligent with average looks?

  2. ZRMoore profile image69
    ZRMooreposted 12 years ago

    intelligent with average looks! Definitely

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am of the same opinion smile

    2. DS Duby profile image71
      DS Dubyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Right on, I'll take the brains any day

  3. truebluewriter profile image60
    truebluewriterposted 12 years ago

    yup, intelligent with average looks. You gotta think long term lol.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very true, and good point about thinking long term.  I would say that looks fade much faster than intelligence lol

  4. johndnathan profile image71
    johndnathanposted 12 years ago

    I'm going to go with intelligence.  Intelligent people have more fun.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting.  I guess I always thought that attractive people tend to have more fun.  As in, they find it easier to be invited to places, people, etc....

  5. LouTucci profile image74
    LouTucciposted 12 years ago

    Don't worry about it...in the end, it is the heart that chooses.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      well said, LouTucci.

  6. jaydawg808 profile image76
    jaydawg808posted 12 years ago

    I'd go and say attractive with average intelligence.  No one said that models or spokesmodels were smart, but they are attractive and can make more money compared to someone with higher intelligence.

    1. JayeWisdom profile image74
      JayeWisdomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But  how many models actually make it in that cut-throat industry?

    2. gmwilliams profile image82
      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very few people make it as models as it is an extremely competitive and cutthroat field.

    3. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think that is kind of sad, but true in many cases, jaydawg808.  as they are both traits that one is either lucky to have or not, they should at least be rewarded equally.  Thank you for being one of the lone dissenting opinions!  Great point.

  7. JayeWisdom profile image74
    JayeWisdomposted 12 years ago

    It's "late in the day" for me as far as the "intelligence versus looks" question, but if I were young I'd choose better-than-average intelligence over looks. I was never a beauty, so the changes time inflicted on me don't upset me as they might if I'd been very attractive and lost my looks from that starting point. As it is, I think most people have a healthy level of vanity--some more than most--and that's good. It makes us try to look our best, or, do our best with what we have.

    I've been mostly satisfied with my level of intelligence except for a lack of interest in advanced math and "hard" sciences (which I excuse by saying it's because I'm creative--that "right brain vs. left brain" dominance). Now I hope to hang on to most of my "little gray cells" as long as possible, which is more important to me than how I look.

    Had you asked me this question when I was young--even though my looks were only average--I think I'd have answered the same: intelligence with average looks gets my vote.

    Jaye

    1. DS Duby profile image71
      DS Dubyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer

    2. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well said, Jaye!!! :0)

    3. duffsmom profile image61
      duffsmomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer Jaye!

    4. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your well thought out response, JayeWisdom smile

  8. Nell Rose profile image86
    Nell Roseposted 12 years ago

    Definitely average looking with intelligence, there is nothing worse than an attractive man who is thick as piece of rope! lol! We call them 'thick and fruity' like the yoghurt! nice to look at but makes you sick if you have to put up with them for too long!

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "thick as a piece of rope" - lol.  I'm going to add that to "dumb as rocks" and other similar phrases.

  9. Imogen French profile image89
    Imogen Frenchposted 12 years ago

    It is better to be yourself, whatever that may be.
    But be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be - allow yourself to be intelligent by studying and learning, and keep yourself in shape as best you can.
    It is not for anyone else to judge.

  10. profile image0
    lovedoctor926posted 12 years ago

    I would much rather be intelligent with average looks because beauty fades and not everything that looks beautiful from the outside is beautiful inside. There are a lot of beautiful people in this world who are self-centered and bad-hearted. It's important to read the newspaper so that way you become more acquainted and informed with news and other current events in the world. Being intelligent makes you more interesting to those around you. Great question.

    1. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So true...beauty may only be skin deep, but ugly is to the bone.

    2. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, and having intelligence is one of those things that makes a person more beautiful from the inside.  Well stated! Thank you.

  11. Greensleeves Hubs profile image90
    Greensleeves Hubsposted 12 years ago

    Most people are not content with what they've got, so I reckon that:

    Most people with great brains and no beauty think they'd rather have great beauty.

    while ...

    People with great beauty and no brains don't think :-)

    1. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Love it!!! :0)

    2. Greensleeves Hubs profile image90
      Greensleeves Hubsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you CJ. Couldn't think of an answer full of wisdom, so I thought I'd try for a laugh instead!

    3. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      hahaha sounds like a self-correcting system, Greensleeves!  lol

  12. duffsmom profile image61
    duffsmomposted 12 years ago

    I would take the smarts with average looks.  intelligent people can figure out how to look attractive if it isn't already there.  But as Ron White says, "You can't fix stupid."

    1. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      And as Einstein said, "The difference between genius and stupidity...is that genius has its limits." :0)

    2. duffsmom profile image61
      duffsmomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      @CJ - love it!  And so true....

    3. Greensleeves Hubs profile image90
      Greensleeves Hubsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      In a similar vein, Einstein is also reputed to have said: 'Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former'

    4. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, duffsmom.

  13. ienjoythis profile image67
    ienjoythisposted 12 years ago

    Intelligent with average looks because looks only get you so far. Then your brain is what people keep you around for.

    1. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      From the look of things...you have the best of both worlds. :0)

    2. ienjoythis profile image67
      ienjoythisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You silver-tongued devil ;D

    3. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I just call them like I see them, Marissa. :0)

    4. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you, ienjoythis.  thanks.

  14. ShutStarryEyes profile image60
    ShutStarryEyesposted 12 years ago

    I guess good look makes people feel good and for that matter that's better. Intelligence makes us think too much and worry too much as well.
    I guess my type is cute to me but can be average to others.
    And intelligence is how you react and live not so much your wisdom. You can be clever but don't think logically.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Kind of like a person can be "book smart" but not "street smart" right?  Good point.  Thanks for responding.

  15. wqaindia profile image32
    wqaindiaposted 12 years ago

    Intelligence has no substitute. Intelligence increases with passage of time and looks tend to fade in the long run smile

    1. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, my friend!!! :0)

    2. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I like the way you put it!  "no substitute for intelligence" - excellent point.

  16. CrescentSkies profile image66
    CrescentSkiesposted 12 years ago

    I'll answer this with a story. An Irish man walked out of a pub completely hammered and stumbling around. A young man spoke up and said "you're drunk!" and started laughing. The drunk man looked at the young man and said "yes but you're dumb and in the morning I will be sober."

    Same theory applies :3 if a girl's beautiful it ain't gonna last forever, if she's intelligent that may last a few more decades big_smile (until she becomes the crazy cat lady, then you run).

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      nice analogy, CrescentSkies.  I like that you point out that intelligence doesn't quite last forever, maybe just a few more decades lol.

    2. CrescentSkies profile image66
      CrescentSkiesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The other side of the story is that some religions believe marriage lasts in the afterlife, so choose really REALLY well or you may not have much to look forward to :3

  17. Wr1t3r profile image67
    Wr1t3rposted 12 years ago

    I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I knew many people who were very smart and though they may not have been 'attractive' by the world's standards to me and many others they were very handsome or beautiful. And by the same standard I have seen and met many beautiful people who were unattractive to me and others because of their actions or even what they say.

    I personally think it is better to be intelligent because if you speak wisdom then people will find you attractive. Though the old adage: people don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care, rings true as well.

    1. profile image0
      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good stuff, Wr1t3r!!! :0)

  18. NornsMercy profile image60
    NornsMercyposted 12 years ago

    Personally I'm not attracted to "attractive" men. It's kinda like a glass sculpture... pretty to look at but you don't wanna touch it~! wink My husband is "average"-looking by other peoples' standards but he's very, very intelligent. With his gapped teeth, balding spot, lopsided dimple and unibrow--whoo! Wouldn't have it any other way.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      lol I guess whatever works for you, right?  thanks!

  19. leroy64 profile image67
    leroy64posted 12 years ago

    I think there is an advantage to having average intelligence in an attractive body.  It is easier to be bold if you don't understand the problems that can create.  Is it better?  Um.....for ambition absolutely.  For happiness it does not matter.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sort of like an "ignorance is bliss" thing i guess.  Very good point.  Thanks!

  20. profile image0
    VeronicaInspiresposted 12 years ago

    Intelligent with average looks! For sure!!

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      no argument here!

  21. gmwilliams profile image82
    gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

    Intelligence with average looks of course.   There is nothing more of an aphrodisiac than to possess fierce intelligence.   While looks are the initial attractor, they soon becomes secondary and tertiary to intelligence.   If one is attractive with average intelligence, this soon becomes quite stale and he/she just becomes mere window dressing with nothing substantial to say the least.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "fierce intelligence" - love that!  thanks for your response, and I definitely agree.

  22. profile image0
    CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years ago

    In a wilderness survival situation...nature does not care how cute you are. Those who have a better plan are more likely to survive. In this stead, nature favors an intelligent mind.

    Having said that - good looks have been known to favor those in industrialized nations, where survival tactics are no longer in effect. Please remember that good looks can only take one so far in life and there is a shelf life to consider. This is to say that attractive qualities are a finite resource that will exhaust itself given time.

    In my experience, those who consider themselves to be attractive at a young age are less likely to explore the depths of knowledge and the virtues associated with a strong character.

    I, therefore, would say that it is usually better to sport "average" looks and possess superior intellect, than to have superior looks and average intelligence.

    However, better than good looks and great intelligence is a virtuous heart.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very well put, CJ.  Especially that last sentence.  Thank you for your response.

  23. moneyfairy profile image61
    moneyfairyposted 12 years ago

    Intelligent with average looks would be the best. Looks are only skin deep and temporary while intelligence is longer lasting until old age and dementia sets in. smile But hopefully if you are intelligent you'll have figured out a way of living without getting dementia by the diet and lifestyle you choose to live.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      lol, true.  definitely want to avoid dementia smile

  24. Jeff Berndt profile image72
    Jeff Berndtposted 12 years ago

    When it comes down to it, there's very little you can do about either of those qualities.

    You can have surgery, I guess, to make yourself more attractive, but that can backfire on you.

    And you can study to become more knowledgeable, and to learn to think critically, but I don't think there's much you can do to actually make yourself more inherently intelligent.

    Honestly, it's not worth worrying about.

    Someone who is happy with who they are and who treats others with kindness is always more attractive than someone who is insecure and acts like a jerk, regardless of what they look like or how smart they are.

    1. JayeWisdom profile image74
      JayeWisdomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Jeff, your comment is typically sage, and I agree--especially with the last two paragraphs.

    2. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point, Jeff.  Thank you.

  25. JessBraz profile image94
    JessBrazposted 12 years ago

    Intelligent with average looks... As the great Judge Judy once said "Beauty fades, but stupid lasts forever"

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not about to argue with Judge Judy! lol

  26. stricktlydating profile image75
    stricktlydatingposted 12 years ago

    Either way you're set!  Life is what you make of it..  You'll also get further if you are a nice, decent and friendly person smile

    1. gmwilliams profile image82
      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sometimes this is the case.   However, the more intelligent a person is, the further he/she gets in life, especially in this postmodern, compuerized culture.   People value and respect highly intelligent people over those of average intelligence.

    2. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      thank you, stricktlydating.

  27. philli profile image76
    philliposted 12 years ago

    Definitely intelligent with average looks. Looks fade, but (hopefully) a sharp mind does not.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, philli.

  28. minikitten profile image66
    minikittenposted 12 years ago

    Intelligent with average looks, you can buy or fake beauty but it's difficult to improve the aptitude of your brain.  The most important thing however is people skills, nobody will care how pretty your face is or how smart you are if you struggle to talk to them in the first place.

    1. SoundNFury profile image77
      SoundNFuryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point minikitten!  Very true - at the end of the day, people will remember how you made them feel rather than what you looked like or how intelligent your words were.

    2. moneyfairy profile image61
      moneyfairyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So true: like a Dr. who is very knowledgeable but poor bedside manner, doesn't really want to make you go back again. So knowledge isn't everything unless you are balanced and well rounded, (emotionally ,mentally and physically)

 
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