I recall an episode from my teenage years when I struggled to find interest in a particularly dry topic in mathematics. At the time, my family was going through a difficult period—my father was hospitalized. He was fond of reading small booklets that distilled the wisdom of great sages. Noticing my struggle, he handed me a passage from one such booklet, featuring a quote by Swami Vivekananda:
“An intelligent man is one who does the work in which he is not interested.”
Swami Vivekananda’s teachings emphasized that true intelligence lies not in mere inclination but in the ability to transform any task into one that aligns with one’s purpose. He further stated:
“Even the greatest fool can accomplish a task if it were after his or her heart. But the intelligent ones are those who can convert every work into one that suits their taste.”
At that moment, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of these words. However, it took me three years after this episode to discipline my mind and focus on the seemingly dry study of Civil Engineering—a field that ultimately empowered me to earn my livelihood. Looking back, I realize that somewhere deep within, this statement from a revered sage had inspired me to take up the challenge of proving my intelligence.
Indeed, Intelligence is often associated with pursuing passion, excelling in chosen fields, and engaging deeply with personal interests. However, true intelligence also lies in the ability to do things that one is not naturally inclined toward. This paradox defines the adaptability and resilience of a truly intelligent mind. In today’s blog, we shall delve this subject a little in detail.
Beyond Interest: The Mark of Intelligence
An intelligent person understands that life does not always offer the luxury of working only on what excites them. Responsibilities, survival, and unforeseen circumstances often demand action beyond personal preference. The ability to recognize this and still perform effectively is a mark of true intellect.
The Bhagavad Gita (2.47) reminds us:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
“You have the right to perform your duty only, but never to its fruits. Do not be motivated by the results of actions, nor be attached to inaction.”
This verse highlights that an intelligent individual focuses on duty rather than personal likes and dislikes. Intelligence is reflected in perseverance and discipline, rather than mere inclination.
Why Do Intelligent People Engage in Uninteresting Tasks?
1. Pragmatism Over Preference
I am sure more than ninety percent of people can’t summon the courage to pursue their passion. Yet, circumstances drive us to earn a living. This reality was poignantly captured in Raj Kapoor’s film Mera Naam Joker, where the protagonist delivers a profound dialogue:
“और प्यारे, ये दुनिया एक सर्कस है, और सर्कस में, बड़े को भी, छोटे को भी, खरे को भी, खोटे को भी, दुबले को भी, मोटे को भी, नीचे से ऊपर को, ऊपर से नीचे को, आना जाना पड़ता है। और रिंगमास्टर के कोड़े पर, थोड़ा जो भूख है, थोड़ा जो पैसा है, थोड़ा जो किस्मत है, तरह-तरह नाच के दिखाना यहाँ पड़ता है।”
(“And dear, this world is a circus, and in this circus, the big and the small, the honest and the deceitful, the thin and the fat—all have to move from bottom to top and top to bottom. Driven by the ringmaster’s whip—be it hunger, money, or luck—they are compelled to perform various dances here.”)
This dialogue reflects the reality that life does not always allow one to pursue personal interests. The ‘ringmaster’s whip’ represents the forces of necessity—hunger, financial obligations, and fate—that push individuals to adapt, perform, and endure. Intelligent individuals recognize this and approach their duties pragmatically, understanding that true success often lies in fulfilling responsibilities, not just chasing personal passions.
Thus, an intelligent person understands that personal interests do not always align with reality. They prioritize necessity over desire, ensuring that essential tasks are completed even if they do not enjoy them.
Though sages like Swami Vivekananda wish to talk about Spirituality for which the ‘Ring Master’ doesn’t directly punish the humans with whips of hunger, money or luck, like the worldly intelligence or pragmatism that is necessary for a living. At some stage in life, we also realize the other part of working towards the spiritual fulfilment of our life. In Hinduism, we believe in countless rebirths before we have purified our soul to unite with the supreme, which is akin to being granted countless chances in a supplementary examination before making our grade.
The Mundaka Upanishad (1.1.5) states:
द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये परा चापरा च।
“Two kinds of knowledge are to be known: the higher (spiritual) and the lower (worldly).”
Wisdom lies in balancing both—fulfilling worldly responsibilities while seeking deeper meaning.
3. Problem-Solving Mindset
Intelligent individuals see challenges as puzzles to solve, not inconveniences. Even if a task does not interest them, they approach it analytically and find ways to make it more efficient, manageable, or even engaging. Sometimes, these solutions appear simple but have a significant impact.
For example, during my Engineering college days, I realized my limitation in performing faster calculations, which were crucial for completing Structural Design examinations within the given time. Instead of struggling, I devised a simple yet effective preparation strategy—I precomputed a set of constant factors at various intervals and memorized them. This allowed me to reduce complex calculations to a quick linear interpolation, saving valuable time during the exam.
This highlights the essence of a problem-solving mindset—it is about adapting, innovating, and optimizing, rather than feeling overwhelmed by a seemingly difficult task.
Even in Spirituality, Lord Krishna offers multiple paths to realization—Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge), Karma Yoga (Path of Action), and Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion). One is free to choose a path, but in reality, most individuals blend all three in a way that suits them best. This, too, is a form of problem-solving—adapting an approach that aligns with one’s nature while ensuring progress toward a greater goal.
4. Long-Term Vision
Short-term disinterest does not deter an intelligent person if the task contributes to a larger goal. A writer may not enjoy marketing, but understanding it ensures that their books reach a wider audience. A scientist might not like politics, but engaging with policymakers ensures the practical application of their research. They recognize that certain tasks are stepping stones toward their greater purpose.
The Bhagavad Gita (3.35) advises:
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।
“It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties imperfectly than to perform another’s duties perfectly.”
Thus, intelligence is about seeing the long-term necessity rather than momentary discomfort.
Conclusion
An intelligent person does not wait for passion to drive action. They act despite disinterest because they understand that success, growth, and fulfilment often require engaging in tasks beyond their comfort zone. Intelligence, therefore, is not just about doing what one loves—it is about excelling in what one doesn’t.
As the Isha Upanishad (Verse 2) suggests:
कुर्वन्नेवेह कर्माणि जिजीविषेच्छतं समाः।
“One should wish to live performing one’s duties for a hundred years; only in this way can a person remain free from the bondage of karma.”
Thus, intelligence is the ability to embrace all aspects of life—not just the ones we like.
What do you think? Have you ever found yourself excelling in something you initially had no interest in? Share your thoughts!
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