"Skill is successfully walking a tightrope between the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center. Intelligence is not trying"

This quote by Marilyn vos Savant is a metaphor for the distinction between ability and intelligence. Ability is the capability to take dangers and be successful in difficult tasks, while intelligence is the ability to acknowledge when a job is too challenging or too risky and to not attempt it. The tightrope in between the twin towers of the World Trade Center is a difficult task that needs ability and nerve to complete. Intelligence is the capability to acknowledge that the job is too tough and to not attempt it. This quote is a tip that intelligence is not constantly about taking threats, however rather about recognizing when a task is too hard and not attempting it. It is very important to acknowledge when a task is too challenging and to not try it, as it can cause failure and even threat.