I'd rather have a brilliant jerk than a regular jerk.

But regular jerks abound at work because they at least don't make you feel stupid and insulted.

And you hit the nail on the head with your experiences. In high school I was neck-and-neck academically with a brilliant jerk. He went to Harvard, is now a millionaire (without inheriting it) and a much nicer person. Competing with him was one of the most formative periods of my life. He made me better, because I learned not to take harsh criticism and hectoring so seriously. Look at what they do (for you), not what they say (to you).

I actually wish there were a brilliant jerk like him in my workplace. But there are just regular jerks.