Intelligence

(Image from here)

Intelligence

Sometimes, Intelligence is safe, and sometimes Intelligence is dangerous.  When he is in a reassuring mood, you leave his house walking lightly and signing to yourself because everything makes sense.  Other days you go to see him, and he tears up your notes or sends you back on the road even though you really want to stay home.  If Intelligence is in the mood for facts, he may interrogate you for hours. 

Intelligence does not go to parties much.  He is very popular when he does show up.  Everyone knows him, but no one knows where he will turn up.  You may find him in the upstairs bedroom talking to the children or out on the back porch telling bad jokes.  Intelligence listens well.  He is no stranger to silence.

Intelligence is Intuition's favorite lover.  It is thought that theirs is an attraction of opposites, but they are more similar than they first appear.  Other people tried to keep them apart for years by telling each of them vicious stories about the other.  When you see them dance, it is clear they have been through the fire.  They like to make up stories together.

Intelligence knows how to use words to make music and how to use words to make pictures.  He thinks in black and white, but he dreams in color.  Intelligence takes photographs with his inner eye.  He paints with logic.  Intelligence loves surprises, and he is not afraid to change his mind.

from The Book of Qualities

J. Ruth Gendler