The mirror on the bathroom wall has asked me that question about a dozen times. In each instance my response to that query has been "Why can't I be both?"

Being clever and good looking at the sane time is neither impossible nor rare in fact the statistics may surprise you. However in order to rationalize and make a decision as you have asked me to do, I shall need some clarification of the terms.

What really do we mean by "good looking"? Most people adjudge good looking to be interchangeable with beautiful or handsome, but is it really. I assure you that one can be good looking without being beautiful! I believe that good looking refers to those whose physiology is not uncomfortable to behold. Thus to me a person is good looking is you don't find yourself convulsing or averting eyes subconsciously when you look at their face. If this definition holds true then it would be safe to say that someone is only good looking, if the person beholding them have that opinion [just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder]. Thus one may hear two people in a spat declaring that "if you think she is good looking, then you are blinder than I thought."

So it is safe to say that there is no universal criterion for the assessment of "good looking". However what would be the benefits of wanting to be good looking? Well, people would find you attractive and be easily drawn to you you may be able to get passes to event to the envy of your friends. You may received a lot of public attention and perhaps be frequently photographed. These are all good rewards, but you will only be known of as a face. The essence of you will still be missed or misunderstood, and eventually forgotten as you grow older.

Wait! What do we mean by "clever"? Without doubt the term conjures up such parallels as intelligent, smart and witty. This gives us the impression that everyone anywhere in the world has a relatively clear idea of what it means to be clever. The criterion for this quality is universally understood.

What however are the benefits of being clever? The thought of being clever is eagerly sought after, people love to know that their intelligence is recognized. It is considered wise to be associated with smart people, so that some of their smartness can rub off on the "clinger". Clever people are hot news and highly paid, what they say whether it makes sense or not is readily gobbled up by their admirers.

Clever people can also be viewed negatively. Some people perceive them as eccentric, nerdy and/or weird. Other can become haughty and snooty because they consider themselves superior to all others.

Decision time! Would I rather be clever or good looking? After weighing the points of view projected earlier, I would want to be clever. I realize that "clever" is a life long trait, it does not appear to leave its owner as he/she gets older. Clever is my choice.

I want, however, only to be clever if my wit and intellect does not cut me off from being human and humane in my dealings with other. I would not want to be too smart for my own good!

Learn more about this author, Ry Moore.
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