Intelligent People Never Complain About These 10 Things In Life

Intelligent people know there is little point complaining about these things.

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We’ve all seen how some people seem to glide through life’s hurdles with a smile while other people are stuck in a loop of grumbling. Intelligent people often belong in the first group, as they deal with life’s complexities with relative ease and a perspective that avoids most complaints. Let’s look at ten things they simply don’t waste their breath on.

1. A person’s imperfections.

Two women are sitting outside a building. The woman on the left is blurred and facing away, wearing a dark top. The woman on the right is in focus, wearing a striped shirt, and holding a cup, looking thoughtfully at the other woman. The background shows a city street.

Nobody’s perfect, and intelligent people are first in line to agree. They enjoy other people’s quirks and mishaps, but not because they’re settling for less. No, they value what really matters—things like kindness, humor, and a good lasagna recipe. While our world’s obsessed with perfection, they cherish the perfectly imperfect humans around them. They know that’s where the beauty of life lies.

2. The past.

A woman wearing a large, black sunhat and a blue checkered dress with a white collar leans on the back of a bench. She looks forward thoughtfully, with sunlight illuminating her face against a blurred, natural background.

Intelligent individuals don’t get tangled up in the “what if” of their past. It doesn’t matter where they are from or what they’ve experienced (or endured), they keep their eyes on the prize—focusing on where they’re going rather than where they’ve been. They use their stories as stepping stones to carve out the future they’re dreaming of, and the past propels them forward, fueling their drive to achieve.

3. Failure.

A man with short dark hair sits at a wooden counter by a window, holding a disposable coffee cup with both hands. He looks out the window thoughtfully, wearing a blue and green plaid shirt. The interior has a warm, cozy atmosphere with minimalistic decor.

Not succeeding isn’t a problem for intelligent people because they’ll use failure as an opportunity. Each misstep teaches a lesson, turning potential setbacks into setups for future success, and they treat life like a giant lab experiment. Smart people are always adjusting and always learning. They don’t dwell on what went wrong but instead on how to improve so that each failure leads them to greater achievements.

4. Other people’s success.

A group of five people stands in a circle inside a bright room with large windows. They are all smiling and giving a high-five simultaneously, celebrating something. There is a flipchart with sticky notes and a desk with papers in the foreground.

While it’s easy to get jealous, intelligent folks see past the green-eyed monster, choosing to be inspired by others’ victories. They see success stories as helping everyone and a way to make things better for us all. They understand that another person’s success doesn’t diminish their own, as it’s the motivation they need to push their limits and celebrate the collective wins.

5. The small stuff.

A close-up of a person with fair skin and red hair, including a red beard, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background is softly blurred, featuring an indoor setting with some indistinct light and shelves.

Petty annoyances? Minor inconveniences? Intelligent people can’t be bothered with all that. They have bigger fish to fry—like solving world hunger or mastering the art of French cooking. Their secret is understanding that keeping an eye on the big picture keeps the small stuff in check. Rather than allowing little hiccups to disrupt their day or cloud their goals, they allow the small stuff to slide.

6. Criticism.

A man in a gray suit and glasses is sitting at a desk, gesturing with his hands and intently listening to a woman holding a document. The woman, with long blonde hair, is turned slightly away from the camera. The meeting appears to be in a modern office.

Feedback is like gold dust to the wise, and intelligent people know the difference between petty jabs and constructive critiques. They take the useful tips onboard and discard the spiteful comments to help them refine their path forward. Always evolving, never stalling. Smart people welcome criticism with open arms, which helps them stay adaptable so they continually refine their approach to life.

7. Change.

A man wearing glasses and a brown shirt walks down a city street. The background is blurred, showing a tree and buildings. He appears thoughtful and focused as he looks to the side.

In the workplace, while other people might dread change, intellectuals thrive on it. They welcome new challenges and shifts as chances to grow and innovate, which is why adapting is their superpower. They’re able to turn potential disruptions into a chance to develop themselves. As such, don’t be surprised when they’re the first to volunteer for new projects and pivot their strategies.

8. Missed opportunities.

A man with a beard sits on a wooden park bench, holding a cold beverage with a straw, wearing a blue denim shirt and shorts, and black shoes. He's gazing into the distance on a sunny day with lush green grass and trees in the background.

Dwelling on lost chances is not how intelligent people spend their evenings. They understand that missed opportunities are just the universe’s way of nudging them towards better goals. They’re ready for the next adventure that life throws their way. No matter what hand life deals them, they remain optimistic, knowing that every missed chance means a new possibility is just around the corner.

9. Intense workloads.

A woman with long dark hair, wearing glasses and a beige sweater, is sitting at a wooden table working on a laptop. She is holding a smartphone to her ear with one hand and a blue coffee cup is placed on the table beside her.

Complaining about a heavy workload? That’s just not how intelligent people do things. Instead, they break down tasks and prioritize their work like professionals. Smart people aren’t afraid to delegate when needed, either, so they can make the most of their time without succumbing to stress. They organize their responsibilities to maximize their productivity without letting their tasks overwhelm them.

10. Aging.

A middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard featuring a prominent mustache smiles gently. He is wearing a gray t-shirt and is posed in front of a plain brown background.

For the intellectually inclined, aging is an inevitable yet also enriching part of the journey we call life. They greet each birthday with a toast to wisdom, and focus on the privilege of experience over the passing of youth. After all, how many people before them were unable to reach this far in life? To them, each milestone is a time to anticipate what is yet to come.