Geniuses Quote by Barbara Cohen
““My secret love, Billy Colbert, had to make up the same test. Afterward, we left the chemistry lab together. 'Well, it was long,' Billy said, 'but it wasn't hard.' 'I thought it was long *and* hard,' I replied. 'Oh, cut it out, Rachel,' Billy remonstrated. 'If there's one thing I can't stand, it's brains who pretend they suffer just as much as the rest of us.' 'I'm not a brain in chemistry,' I protested. 'If I get good grades in science or math, it's because I work. You're the brain in chemistry. I hate that word, brain, anyway. Everyone has a brain, and they're all about the same size, even a moron's.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: "The Secret Love", 1998
Academic pressure leads to resentment; the narrator despises pretentious intellect.
In simple terms: The narrator hates fake intellectualism.
Key Takeaway
Avoid pretentiousness; value genuine effort.
Themes
intellectualism
pretension
education
self-esteem
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- College classes
- study groups
- friendship circles
Key Concepts
Psychology
social dynamics
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people hide behind "brain" labels?
- Can honesty replace competition?
A Different Perspective
Intellectualism can be a coping mechanism for insecurity.
![“I'm a superior foot massager,' Mr. Jensen said [to Mother]. 'Later, I'll show you my license.' He laughed, and his eyes glinted. I looked from them up into the eyes of the portrait, into Sir Baldwin's eyes. Baldy wasn't smiling, but it seemed to me that the glint in his eyes was the same as the…” quote by Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/34b/barbara-cohen-28364_parenting_i-m-a-superior-foot-massager-mr-jensen-s_51838.jpg)
![“It was the face that disturbed me. The artist had lit it in such a way that it appeared very strong, actually, to my mind, brutal. The nose was long and thin, the full underlip protruberant [sic], and the blue eyes icy cold. There was a great deal of pride in his look - more than pride, arrogance…” quote by Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/883/barbara-cohen-28364_art_it-was-the-face-that-disturbed-me-the-ar_1149815.jpg)
