Who said “Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.”?

Verified

Henri Frederic Amiel. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceJournal Intime (1882), 16 February 1868

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Journal Intime (1882), 16 February 1868.

APA

Amiel, H. F. (n.d.). Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10158-cleverness-is-serviceable-for-everything-sufficient-for/

MLA

Amiel, Henri Frederic. “Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10158-cleverness-is-serviceable-for-everything-sufficient-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Amiel, Henri Frederic. “Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10158-cleverness-is-serviceable-for-everything-sufficient-for/.