“Some of the biggest cases of mistaken identity are among intellectuals who have trouble remembering that they are not God”
— Thomas Sowell
Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes, very smart people can start to think very highly of themselves, to the point where they believe they know everything and can't be wrong. This attitude makes them act like they're infallible, like God. They might make decisions or give advice with too much confidence, not considering they might be mistaken. Take a well-known scientist, for example. If this scientist starts thinking their theories are always correct just because they've been right before, they might ignore new evidence or different viewpoints. This could lead to errors, no matter how brilliant they are. For our everyday lives, it's a reminder to stay humble and open-minded. No matter how knowledgeable we are, we should always listen to others and be willing to learn. Being self-assured is good, but we must remember we're all human and can make mistakes.