The Test of a First Rate Intelligence
F Scott Fitzgerald, Esquire, 1936
Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation -- the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise. This philosophy fitted on to my early adult life, when I saw the improbable, the implausible, often the “impossible,” come true. Life was something you dominated if you were any good. Life yielded easily to intelligence and effort, or to what proportion could be mustered of both. It seemed a romantic business to be a successful literary man -- you were not ever going to be as famous as a movie star but what note you had was probably longer-lived; you were never going to have the power of a man of strong political or religious convictions but you were certainly more independent. Of course within the practice of your trade you were forever unsatisfied -- but I, for one, would not have chosen any other.
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"the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time"
That's brilliant and right on. I think Thomas Moore wrote about that in his book "Original Self: Living with Paradox and Originality".
It is really taxing to do that and not to get tongue-tied.
"the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time" This is true and explains and says alot about president bush. I don't think he ever had an original thought!