Logo - Feel The Words

Intellectuals Quotes

Quotes on intellectuals, culture, and the gap between thought and life.

Intellectuals don't always sit comfortably with the culture around them - one quote points to a real divide between thinkers and everyday people in a specific region, while another dismisses critics outright. These tensions echo themes found in our Culture quotes.

There is a gulf between the Arab peoples and Arab intellectuals.

Quotes by Tahar Ben Jelloun

Beekeeping is farming for intellectuals.

Quotes by Sue Hubbell

The so-called intellectuals don't like my films.

Quotes by Rohit Shetty

There are clearly many Egyptian free-thinkers and intellectuals - lots of wonderful Egyptian artists and architects and scientists.

Quotes by Richard Engel

Culture Quotes

Ironically, Latin American countries, in their instability, give writers and intellectuals the hope that they are needed.

Quotes by Manuel Puig

Marxism is the opium of the intellectuals.

Quotes by Edmund Wilson

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these quotes view intellectuals favorably?
It's mixed, one dismisses so-called intellectuals outright for disliking a filmmaker's work, while others treat intellectual life more thoughtfully.
Is there a cultural divide mentioned regarding intellectuals?
Yes, one points to a real divide between a broader population and its intellectuals specifically, suggesting a disconnect between elite thought and everyday experience. Related ideas appear in our Culture quotes.
What's the joke about beekeeping and intellectuals?
One quote calls beekeeping a hobby suited for intellectuals, playfully suggesting it appeals more to thoughtful, deliberate types than typical farming does.
How does political instability relate to intellectuals here?
One observes that in unstable countries, writers and intellectuals often feel a renewed sense of being needed, ironically finding purpose amid chaos.
Why might a filmmaker dismiss intellectual critics?
The quote suggests frustration with critical reception, implying that so-called intellectuals' disapproval doesn't necessarily reflect how audiences actually feel about the work.

Instability can shift that relationship too, with one quote noting how unsettled countries can make writers feel needed again. See our Depth and Identity quote pages for more.