In H.G. Wells' "Complete Short Stories," he discusses a fundamental law of nature that suggests the abundance of mental abilities serves as a means to cope with the changes, dangers, and challenges that individuals encounter. According to Wells, these mental talents do not hold any true value in themselves; instead, intelligence gains its significance through the need for adaptation to an ever-changing environment.

Wells highlights that it is primarily animals, which possess a limited form of intelligence, that must navigate through various necessities and threats. This observation points to a deeper understanding of intelligence as a tool that arises not from mere mental prowess but from the fundamental need to tackle life's complexities and challenges.