Quote by Cassandra Clare
Will suspected Jem was in fact cleverer than he was himself - but he lacked Will's tendency to assume the absolute worst about people and proceed from there.
Summary
This quote highlights the contrasting traits of the characters Will and Jem. It suggests that while Will may possess greater intelligence or intellectual abilities, Jem's more optimistic nature prevents him from immediately assuming negative qualities in others. Jem's tendency to see the best in people stands as a favorable characteristic, implying that he approaches situations with a more open mind and gives others the benefit of the doubt.