“Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization.”

“One of the indictments of civilizations is that happiness and intelligence are so rarely found in the same person.”

“There is something funny about the human condition, and civilized intelligence makes fun of its own ideas.”

“Ambitious people understand intelligent people far better than intelligent people understand ambitious people; therefore, ambition will always triumph over intelligence. Once you appreciate this reality, civilization becomes clearer and unfortunately, more distressing.”

“To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level.”

“In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.”