The tragedy is that thinking men, so-called intellectuals…
““The tragedy is that thinking men, so-called intellectuals, seem to threaten the electorate. We have in this country an anti-intellectual strain that scares the bejesus out of me. Don't we want a bright man? Don't we want a creative man? Must we always have these hacks?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that intellectuals are viewed with suspicion, creating an anti‑intellectual climate that hinders progress.
In simple terms: People fear smart, creative thinkers.
Encourage respect for intellect.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education policy
- media coverage
- public debates
- leadership selection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can society value intellect without alienating voters?
- What steps reduce anti‑intellectual bias?
The statement may overgeneralize and ignore benefits of diverse viewpoints.