In other words, ladies:  when seeking a husband, is intelligence a factor?  Is the ability to wax philosophical, an interest in the sciences, high linguistic ability, etc.  a personal attractor?  

Gentlemen:  do you seek intelligence in a wife?  Is a high IQ a quality you find worthy and attractive?

Let us assume both men and women are devout Catholics, behaving appropriately according to their sexes, and are otherwise worthy marriage material.  

How important is intelligence in one's search for a spouse?  Let us assume that piety is always the foremost trait desired, of course.

There has been discussion on this topic lately, so I thought it would be interesting to examine others' perspectives on the matter.  Married, engaged, single, and courting are all welcome to reply.

A significant comparative lack of intelligence would be a deal breaker for me!  Likewise, a brilliant fool with no practical skills would be equally unacceptable.

Yes, intelligence is important to me. If I found that I exceeded a man in intelligence during courtship it would be a deal breaker.

They don't have to be philosophical, and they don't even have to be well read in order for me to think them intelligent. Intelligence is not born through books.

I've hurt by brilliant men repeatedly, I'd want to see a son-in-law who was kind, stable, and understanding, more than a high IQ/ intelligent/well educated. How they treat you is what counts when it counts.

 "ability to wax philosophical, an interest in the sciences, high linguistic ability" are not traits I'd look for but intelligence is.

Intelligence is very important in a marriage. It is the ability to deal with life's problems in a wise, efficient and practical way.

Even though he had a problem with English and I had very little of his language, when I met my husband the first thing I noted about his conversation was that we were on the same wavelength on issues related to questions of justice and relations between people of different cultural groups. (We were at a lay missionary convention).

There is a slight whiff of arrogance here when talking about intelligence.  Dislike all you want.

I would be the more intelligent than my husband but he has more common sense than I and very practical.  Water finds it own level.

He trusts my judgement when it comes to how to raise the children and teaching them to see beyond the surface in everything.  I trust his judgement when it comes to practical decisions.  We work in harmony.  

Quote from: Guest

There is a slight whiff of arrogance here when talking about intelligence....  I would be the more intelligent than my husband but...

Whats your point??  I meant more bookish/thinker

What is intelligence, I am more bookish/thinker than my husband but he is more practical/common sense....which is more intelligent...neither

Its seems to me the posters here consider endless conversations on philosophy are markers of intelligence...not so.

Education also makes intelligent people stupid. Fill there heads with endless facts and figures and yet they make the most stupid decisions in every day life.

My point is that a marriage is not doomed because my husband is not bookish.  In lots of ways one spouse is better at something than the other and they work together in harmony because of it.  Such as money, I am the spender, hubby is the saver.  I am the disciplinarian , hubby is easier going.  I am hot tempered , he is quiet tempered.
 
Gods wisdom knows no bounds.  I see how the male female talents balance works to keep harmony in a home. I think the same in the intelligence realm.  An intelligent person can carry and pass on wisdom to the person of less intelligence and the person of less intelligence can sometimes cut through the endless waffle of philosophies and come to the same conclusion quickly.  Also they can keep the intelligent person more grounded who might get to big for their boots thinking their opinions are always right. Swings and roundabouts.

My husband and I both consider intelligence very important in a spouse.  Now that our children are older, we are again able to have long discussions about history, philosophy, religion, science, current events, etc.  It is one of my greatest pleasures.