Clever: (adj) quick to understand
I have always contended that the best way to be clever (quick to understand) is to make sure you’re slow to tout your intelligence.
I don’t know why people work so hard to establish that they are smart when being knowledgeable just plays out.
So, avoid making claims in the chill of the moment, which melt in the heat of the day.
I don’t exactly know how to be clever. I get accused of it all the time, and I’ve even had people ask me what the secret is to cleverness. The only response I can give them is, “For God’s sakes–don’t try.”
After all, there is nothing that is less clever than trying to be clever.
It’s awkward.
It’s dopey.
It’s like taking a selfie and pointing out to people how cute you are.
It usually fails miserably, especially when you have to explain your cleverness because it has overshot the comprehension of your audience.
I think clever and cleverness is like dew: get there early, make sure you’re frosty and find a nice spot to let the cool that surrounds you “dew” its stuff.