Since it is seldom clear whether intellectual activity denotes a superior mode of being or a vital deficiency, opinion swings between considering intellect a privilege and seeing it as a handicap.

Quote by Jacques Barzun

Topics: Jacques Barzun Quotes

The intellectuals' chief cause of anguish are one another's works.

The intellectuals' chief cause of anguish are one another's works.

It seems a long time since the morning mail could be called correspondence.

It seems a long time since the morning mail could be called correspondence.

If civilization has risen from the Stone Age, it can rise again from the Wastepaper...

If civilization has risen from the Stone Age, it can rise again from the Wastepaper...

Music is intended and designed for sentient beings that have hopes and purposes and emotions.

Music is intended and designed for sentient beings that have hopes and purposes and emotions.

If it were possible to talk to the unborn, one could never explain to them...

If it were possible to talk to the unborn, one could never explain to them...

Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or...

Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or...

Of course, clothing fashions have always been impractical, except in Tahiti

Of course, clothing fashions have always been impractical, except in Tahiti

Except among those whose education has been in the minimalist style, it is understood that...

Except among those whose education has been in the minimalist style, it is understood that...

In any assembly the simplest way to stop transacting business and split the ranks is...

In any assembly the simplest way to stop transacting business and split the ranks is...

Only a great mind that is overthrown yields tragedy.

Only a great mind that is overthrown yields tragedy.

The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more...

The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more...

An artist has every right - one may even say a duty - to exhibit...

An artist has every right - one may even say a duty - to exhibit...

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the...

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the...

Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred.

Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred.

Always old-fashioned

Always old-fashioned

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the...

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the...

Great cultural changes begin in affectation and end in routine.

Great cultural changes begin in affectation and end in routine.

The test and the use of man's education is that he finds pleasure in the...

The test and the use of man's education is that he finds pleasure in the...

Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.

Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.

In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and...

In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and...