"An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows"

This quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower is a humorous way of mentioning the propensity of intellectuals to overcomplicate things. It implies that intellectuals often use more words than necessary to discuss something, which they may not even understand what they are speaking about. This might be because they are trying to sound more knowledgeable than they in fact are, or since they are attempting to make a point that is more intricate than it needs to be. It could likewise be since they are attempting to impress others with their intelligence. Whatever the factor, this quote is a reminder that in some cases less is more, which it is necessary to be succinct and clear when interacting.