things that you ought to know

It has been a long-standing realization of mine that most, if not all, of the most brilliant people I know don't really seem to recognize how wonderful they are. I personally know very few idiots; I don't take much of an interest in them, anyway. Certainly there are delusional fools, occasionally psychopathic, who are convinced that they are geniuses, but the vast majority of geniuses I have met (and I'd like to think I've met quite a few so far) are convinced that they are moronic dunderheads.

I don't really understand it. I do think that self-doubt does serve a useful purpose; it keeps you humble and willing to experiment. But in excess you are only cluttering your judgment and embroiling yourself needlessly in self-loathing. Let me assure you that your kindness and brainpower combined give me one hell of an inferiority complex on a regular basis. I refuse to believe that you have wasted your life on delusions of grandeur.

Because you're all brilliant, all of you.