"It has always been my private conviction that any man who puts his intelligence up against a fish and loses had it coming"

John Steinbeck's quote implies that intelligence is a powerful tool and must not be ignored. He recommends that if an individual uses their intelligence to contend versus a fish, and they lose, then they need to have expected it. This might be translated as an alerting to not undervalue the power of nature and the creatures that occupy it. It could likewise be viewed as a pointer to utilize one's intelligence carefully and to not handle tasks that are beyond their capabilities. Steinbeck's quote is a suggestion that intelligence should be used to its fullest capacity which it must not be considered granted. It is a tip that nature is effective and must be respected.