A good recommendation

Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say,
    "In this world, Elwood, you must be," — she always called me Elwood —
        "In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant."
            Well, for years I was smart.
                I recommend pleasant.
                    You may quote me.

                            Elwood P. Dowd in the movie Harvey