According to walter, who in the world is the smartest?

“...there ain’t nothing but taking in this world, and he who takes most is smartest – and it don’t make a damn bit of difference how.”

Walter believes that whoever takes the most in the world is the smartest. Not who works the hardest or makes the most money. He believes that he will have to change his moral stance and steal from others if he wants to succeed. Walter realizes that he must take what he wants or other people will take from him.