Not all intelligent people are morally corrupt or avaricious.
There is intelligence that strategizes the best way to make a buck and ignore integrity, ethics and morals. This is a beastly or pygmy intelligence.
Then there is intelligence that is tempered with wisdom.
For example, in my line of work there are many many unscrupulous ways that I can make more money or technically "cheat" that are, in fact, lawful. My own personal code of cunduct prevents me from doing them even though I can clearly see monetary advantages to doing them.
It just seems, of the lawyers I have had the displeasure of socializing with that they lack wisdom and tend to be morally bankrupt. Many (if not most) appear to be pretty intelligent people, but they do not stand out in an intelligent crowd for intelligence but it may be because I am around many scientists and engineers who would blow these guys away in every measure of intelligence (except cunning).
I feel there is a reason for this. Lawyers can make lot's of money with minimal work compared to other fields that require intelligence. To make a lot of money as a lawyer you are almost required to be a slimy ambulance chaser. The field tends to attract intelligent people who wish to make easy money. Also, those with aspirations to political office generally choose law as a profession to help thier career.
Scientists: Make almost no money, and tend tend to do thier work out of love for the work. To make lot's of money as a scientist it is almost necessary to become an entrepreneur which, believe me, is a LOT of work-rewarding as it is though
.
Engineers: Same as scientists but tend to make a little more money -- depending upon the field and employer.
Doctors: Make good money but to make lots involves a LOT of schooling -- then after that -- a LOT of work. Many doctors don't have a social life until they retire.
Professors: Not much money in this unless you write a best seller.
Writers: Again, need a hit to make great money. (Of course you also don't need to be intelligent for this field but it helps).
Of the above professions marked by a preponderance of intelligent people in their professions, there is only one that is universally despised and characterised as greedy sharks.
No one ever says: "First, we kill all the engineers"
