"The people I am most afraid of are the clever ones. They have so many brains that they can think of mischief against me"

Wilhelm II's quote speaks to the worry of those who are more intelligent than oneself. He hesitates of those who have the capability to consider ways to cause him damage. This worry is most likely rooted in the idea that those with more brains are most likely to outmaneuver him and develop methods to cause him damage. This fear is likely compounded by the truth that Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, and hence had a great deal of power and impact. He was likely familiar with the potential for those with more brains to utilize their intelligence to challenge his authority and power. This worry of the smart ones is likely a reflection of Wilhelm II's own insecurity and worry of being outsmarted. He was likely knowledgeable about the potential for those with more brains to utilize their intelligence to challenge his authority and power, and this fear most likely drove him to be more careful and wary of those around him.