"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"

In this quote, Jacques Barzun is talking about the obscurity surrounding the value of intellectual activity. He suggests that there is frequently confusion about whether being intellectually active signifies supremacy or a sign of doing not have something important. As a result, individuals's opinions on intellect tend to change between seeing it as a benefit and seeing it as a barrier. This highlights the intricacy of intelligence and how it can be viewed in a different way by various individuals. Barzun's words also recommend that there is no clear agreement on the role and value of intellect in society, causing a continuous argument and shifting perspectives.