This quote suggests a hierarchy of intellectual conversation, placing the discussion of ideas at the top, followed by events and then people. It implies that the quality of our thoughts and conversations can be a reflection of our intellectual capacity and personal growth.

When we discuss ideas, we’re engaging in abstract thinking, exploring possibilities, questioning the status quo, and envisioning the future. This requires a high level of cognitive engagement and creativity. It’s the realm of philosophers, inventors, visionaries, and leaders who shape the world with their thoughts and ideas.

Discussing events, on the other hand, is about reacting to what has already happened. It’s an intermediate level of conversation that requires some analysis and interpretation, but it’s still grounded in the concrete reality of existing circumstances. This is the realm of the informed citizen, the historian, and the analyst.

Finally, discussing people is seen as the lowest level of conversation. It often involves gossip, judgment, and comparison, focusing on others’ actions and lives rather than our own thoughts and ideas. This is the realm of the idle chatter, the gossipmonger, and the critic.

In today’s world, this quote is more relevant than ever. With the rise of social media, it’s easy to get caught up in discussing people and events, often at the expense of discussing ideas. We are bombarded with news about what people are doing or what’s happening around the world, but we rarely take the time to delve into abstract ideas and big-picture thinking.

In terms of personal development, this quote encourages us to elevate our thinking and conversation. Instead of focusing on the superficial or the immediate, we should strive to engage with the world on a deeper, more meaningful level. By discussing ideas, we can broaden our horizons, challenge our beliefs, and stimulate our intellectual growth. We can become not just consumers of information, but creators of ideas. This is the path to becoming a ‘great mind’ as per the quote.